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THE ARROW MAKER 



UNIFORM WITH THIS VOLUME 



Rudolf Besier 

DON: A Comedy, $1,00 net 

J. B. Fagan 

THE EARTH: A Comedy, $1.00 net 




Edith Wynne Matthison as the Chisera 



THE ARROW MAKER 



A DRAMA IN THREE ACTS 



BT 

MARY AUSTIN 

Author of "The Land of Little Rain' 
"Lost Borders," Etc. 




NEW YORK 

DUFFIELD AND COMPANY 

1911 



^ 



Copyright, 1911 
Bt Duffield and Company 



THB • PLIMPTON • PRESS 

[W .D .O] 
HOaWOOD . MASS • U • S • A 



CCI.D 24073 



DeHicateU 

IN GRATEFUL ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO 

H. C. H. 

AS ONE WHO AMONG MANY PROTESTANTS 
MADE GOOD 



PERSONS OF THE DRAMA 

In the Order of their Appearance 



Fighting Men, 



Choco 

Winnedumah . 
Pamaquash ... 

Tavwots 

Yavi A Youth, 

Seegooche The Chiefs Wife, 

TiAWA A Very Old Woman, 

Wacoba Wife to Pamaquash, 

The Chisera Medicine Woman of the Paiutes, 

Bright Water. . . . The Chiefs Daughter, 

TuiYo "I 

White Flower . [ Friends of Bright Water, 

PlOKE ., J 

SiMWA The Arrow Maker, 

Padahoon Rival to Simwafor Leadership. 

Rain Wind Chief of the Paiutes, 

Haiwai A Young Matron, 



ORIGINAL CAST 
THE NEW THEATRE 



THE ARROW MAKER" 

a plat of american indian life 
Bt Maby Austin 



SYNOPSIS OF SCENES 

The action takes place in the foothills of the Sierras, California. Time — Prior to the 
white occupation of California. 



ACT I. THE CHISEBA 8 WICKIUP. VALLEY OF 8AQHAHAWITE 

Note — Between Acts I and II the orchestra will play an entr'acte, " The Arrow Maker,' 
based on Indian themes. Composed by Mb. Elliott Schenck. 

ACT U. THE CAMP OF 8AGHABAWITE. THBEE MONTH8 LATER 



Intermission — Fifteen Minutes 



THE TOP OF TOOBAPE. ONE YEAB LATEB 



CHARACTERS 



CHOCO . . 

WINNEDUMAH 

PAMAQUASH 

YAVI 

FLEETFOOT 

TAVWOT8 . 



IN THE OBDEB OF THEIB APPEABANCE 

tribesmen 

of 

Sagharawite 



MB. 8TEWABT BAIBD 

MB. JOHN SUTHERLAND 

MB. BEGINALD BABLOW 

MB. ALBEBT EASDALE 

MB. EDWIN CU8HMAN 

MB. PEDRO DE COBDOBA 



8EEGOOCHE, wife of the chief Mi8a ethel bbandon 

TiAWA, an old woman miss helen beimeb 

wacoba, a matron miss olive Oliver 

the CHISEBA, "Friend of the Gods" miss edith wynne matthison 

bbioht wateb, daughter of the chief miss leah bateman-hunteb 

white flower] companions f miss elsie hebndon keabns 

TUiYO . . . [ of I . miss lewise seymoub 

8BYAVI . . J Bright Water [ . miss babbaba king 

siMWA, the arrow maker mb. fbank gillmobe 

padahoon, a fighting man mb. ben johnson 

rain wind, chief of the tribe mb. e. m. Holland 

haiwai, a matron miss maby doylb 

FIGHTING MEN, OLD MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDBEN OF THE SAGHABAWITES — A SMALL 
TBIBE OF THE PAIUTE INDIANS 

INCIDENTAL MUSIC AND DANCES, BASED ON INDIAN THEMES, COMPOSED BY MB. ELLIOTT 
SCHENCK. 

SONGS AND CHANTS IN THE PLAY TAKEN FBOM PHONOGRAPHIC RECORDS OF INDIAN 
MUSIC. 

DANCES TAUGHT BY CHIEF BED EAGLE. 

COSTUMES AND PBOPEBTIE8 DESIGNED FBOM EXAMPLES IN THE AMEBICAN MUSEUM 
OF NATUBAL HISTOBY. 

8CENEBY PAINTED BY ME88BS. UNITT 4 WICKES. 

"the ABROW maker" has BEEN STAGED BY THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS OF 

the new theatre staff: 

Mb. Geobge Fosteb Platt 

pboduceb 

Mb. Fbedebick Stanhope Mr. E. Hamilton Bell 

ASSISTANT producer ART DIRECTOR 

Mb. Elliott Schenck Mb. Wilfrid North 

MUSICAL director STAGE MANAGER 



AUTHOR'S PREFACE 

The greatest difficulty to be met with in the writ- 
ing of an Indian play is the extensive misinformation 
about Indians. Any real aboriginal of my acquaint- 
ance resembles his prototype in the public mind 
about as much as he does the high-nosed, wooden 
sign of a tobacco store, the fact being that among 
the fifty-eight linguistic groups of American aborig- 
inals, customs, traits and beliefs differ as greatly as 
among Slavs and Sicilians. Their very speech ap- 
pears not to be derived from any common stock. 
All that they really have of likeness is an average 
condition of primitiveness; they have travelled just 
so far toward an understanding of the world they 
live in, and no farther. It is this general limitation 
of knowledge which makes, in spite of the multipli- 
cation of tribal customs, a common attitude of mind 
which alone affords a basis of interpretation. 

But before attempting to realize the working of 
Indian psychology, you must first rid yourself of the 
notion that there is any real difference between the 
tribes of men except the explanations. What deter- 
mines man's behaviour in the presence of fever, 
thunder and the separations of death, is the nature 
of his guess at the causes of these things. The 
issues of life do not vary so much with the condi- 
tions of civilization as is popularly supposed. 

Chiefest among the misconceptions of primitive 



X THE ARROW MAKER 

life which make dijQScult any dramatic presentation 
of it, is the notion that all its human contacts are 
accompanied by a degree of emotional stress that 
obtains only in the most complex social organiza- 
tions. We are always hearing, from the people 
farthest removed from it, of "great primitive pas- 
sions," when in fact what distinguishes the passion 
of the tribesmen from our own, is their greater 
liability to the pacific influences of Nature and their 
greater freedom from the stimulus of the imagination. 
What among us makes for the immensity of emo- 
tion, is the great weight of accumulated emotional 
tradition stored up in literature and art, almost 
entirely wanting in the camps of the aboriginals. 
There the two greatest themes of modern drama, 
love and ambition, are modified, the one by the 
more or less communal nature of tribal labour, the 
other by the plain fact that in the simple, open-air 
life of the Indian the physical stress of sex is actually 
much less than in conditions called civilized. 

When the critics are heard talking of "drama of 
great primitive passions," what they mean is great 
barbaric passions, passions far enough along in the 
process of socialization to be subject to the inter- 
actions of wealth, caste and established religion, 
but still free of the obligation of politeness. But 
the life of the American Indian provides no such 
conditions, and, moreover, in the factor which makes 
conspicuously for the degree of complication called 
Plot, is notably wanting, — I mean in the factor of 
Privacy. Where all the functions of living are car- 



THE ARROW MAKER xi 

ried on in the presence of the community, or at 
best behind the thin-walled, leafy huts, human rela- 
tions become simplified to a degree difficult for our 
complexer habit to comprehend. The only really 
great passions, great I mean in the sense of being 
dramatically possible, are communal and find their 
expression in the dance which is the normal vehicle 
of emotional stress. 

In "The Arrow Maker " the author, without 
dwelling too much on tribal peculiarities, has at- 
tempted the explication of this primitive attitude 
toward a human type common to all conditions of 
society. The particular mould in which the story 
is cast takes shape from the manner of aboriginal 
life in the Southwest, anywhere between the Klamath 
River and the Painted Desert; but it has been written 
in vain if the situation has not also worked itself out 
in terms of your own environment. 

The Chisera is simply the Genius, one of those 
singular and powerful characters whom we are still, 
with all our learning, unable to account for without 
falling back on the primitive conception of gift as 
arising from direct communication with the gods. 
That she becomes a Medicine Woman is due to the 
circumstance of being born into a time which fails 
to discriminate very clearly as to just which of the 
inexplicable things lie within the control of her 
particular gift. That she accepts the interpretation 
of her preeminence which common opinion provides 
for her, does not alter the fact that she is no more 
or less than just the gifted woman, too much occu- 



Xll THE ARROW MAKER 

pied with the use of her gift to look well after her- 
self, and more or less at the mercy of the tribe. 
What chiefly influences their attitude toward her is 
worthy of note, being no less than the universal, 
unreasoned conviction that great gift belongs, not to 
the possessor of it, but to society at large. The 
whole question then becomes one of how the tribe 
shall work the Chisera to their best advantage. 

How they did this, with what damage and suc- 
cesses, is to be read, but if to be read profitably, 
with its application in mind to the present social 
awakening to the waste, the enormous and stupid 
waste of the gifts of women. To one fresh from the 
consideration of the roots of life as they lie close to 
the surface of primitive society, this obsession of 
the recent centuries that the community can only 
be served by a gift for architecture, for administra- 
tion, for healing, when it occurs in the person of a 
male, is only a trifle less ridiculous than that other 
stupidity that a gift for mothering must not be 
exercised except in the event of a particular man 
who, under certain restrictions, is able to afford the 
opportunity. There is perhaps no social movement 
going on in this present, so deep-rooted and dramatic 
as this struggle of Femininity to recapture its right 
to serve, and still to serve with whatever powers 
and possessions it finds itself endowed. But a 
dramatic presentation of it is hardly possible out- 
side of primitive conditions where no tradition 
intervenes to prevent society from accepting the 
logic of events. 



THE ARROW MAKER xiii 

Whatever more there may be in "The Arrow 
Maker" besides its Indian colour, should lie in the 
discovery made by the Chisera, to which the author 
subscribes, that it is also in conjunction with her 
normal relation for loving and bearing that the 
possessor of gift finds the greatest increment of 
power. To such of these as have not discovered it 
for themselves, "The Arrow Maker" is hopefully 
recommended. 



ACT FIRST 



THE ARROW MAKER 



ACT FIRST 

Scene. — The hut of the Chisera, in the foothills of 
the Sierras. It stands at the mouth of a steep, 
dark canon, opening toward the valley of Saghar- 
awite. At the back rise high and barren cliffs 
where eagles nest; at the foot of the cliffs runs a 
stream, hidden by willow and buckthorn and toyon. 
The wickiup is built in the usual Paiute fashion, 
of long willows set about a circular pit, bent over to 
form a dome, thatched with reeds and grass. About 
the hut lie baskets and blankets, a stone metate, 
other household articles, all of the best quality; in 
front is a clear space overflowing with knee-deep 
many-coloured bloom of the California spring. A 
little bank that runs from the wickiup to the toyon 
bushes is covered with white forget-me-nots. The 
hearth fire between two stones is quite out, but the 
deer-skin that screens the opening of the hut is 
caught up at one side, a sign that the owner is not 
far from home, or expects to return soon. 

At first glance the scene appears devoid of life, but sud- 
denly the call of a jay bird is heard faintly and far 
up the trail that leads to the right among the rocks. 
It is repeated nearer at hand, perfectly imitated 
3 



4 THE ARROW MAKER 

hut with a nuance that advises of human origin^ 
and two or three half-naked Indians are seen to be 
making their way toward the bottom of the canon, 
their movements so cunyiingly harmonized with the 
lines of the landscape as to render them nearly in- 
visible. Choco, Pamaquash and Winnedumah 
with two others come together at the end of the bank 
farthest from the Chisera's hut. 

Choco 
Who called? 

Winnedumah 
It came from farther up. 

Pamaquash 
Yavi, I think. He must have seen something. 

Choco 

By the Bear, if the Castacs have crossed our 
boundaries, there are some of them shall not re- 
cross it! 

Winnedumah 
Hush — the Chisera — she will hear you ! 

Choco 
She is not in the hut. She went out toward the 
hills early this morning and has not yet returned. 
Besides, if the Castacs have crossed, we cannot keep 
it from the women much longer. 

Pamaquash 
[Who has moved up to a better post of observation.] 
There is some one on the trail. 



THE ARROW MAKER 5 

[The jay's call is heard and answered softly by 
Pamaquash.] 

Choco 

Yavi. But Tavwots is not with him. [Yavi 
comes dropping from the cliffs.] What have you 

seen? 

Yavi 

Smoke rising — by Deer Leap. Two long puffs 
and a short one. 

[The news is received with sharp excited murmurs] 

Pamaquash 
More than a score — and with all our youths we 
cannot count so many. 

Choco 
And this business of the war leader still unset- 
tled — The Council must sit at once. Go, one of 
you, and tell Chief Rain Wind that Tavwots has sig- 
nalled from Deer Leap that more than a score of 
Castacs are out against us. 

WiNNEDUMAH 

And tell the women to prepare a gift hastily for 
the Chisera. Who knows how soon we shall have 
need of her strong medicine. 

[One of the Indians departs on this errand.] 

Choco 
Never so much need of it as when we have neg- 
lected our own part of the affair! Even before the 
Castacs began to fill up our springs and drive our 



6 THE ARROW MAKER 

deer we knew that the Chief is too old for war; and 
now that the enemy has crossed our borders we are 
still leaderless. 

WiNNEDUMAH 

So we should not be if we had followed the tribal 
use and given the leadership to years and experience. 
It is you, young men, and the to-do you have made 
about the Arrow Maker that have unsettled judg- 
ment. 

Choco 

I have nothing against years and experience, but 
when one has the gods as plainly on his side as 

Simwa 

Yavi 

Never have I seen a man so increase in power and 
fortune — 

WiNNEDUMAH 

Huh — huh! I too have watched the growth of 
this Simwa. Also I have seen a gourd swelling with 
the rains, and I have not laid it to the gods in either 
case. But the Council must sit upon it. We must 
bring it to Council. 

Yavi 
[Hotly.] Why should you credit the gods with 
Simwa's good fortune since he himself does not so 
claim it? For my part, I think with the Arrow 
Maker that it is better for a man to thrive by what 
is within him, rather than by the making of medicine 
or the wisdom of the elders. 



THE ARROW MAKER 7 

Pamaquash 

[From above.] Tst — st, Tavwots! 

[Tavwots comes down the canon panting with speed. 
He drops exhausted on the bank, and one of the men 
gives him water between his palms from the creek,] 

Choco 
Have they crossed? 

Tavwots 

Between Deer Leap and Standing Rock — more 
than a score, though I think some of them were boys 
— but they had no women. 

[The news is received with consternation.] 

Choco 
They mean fighting then! 

WiNNEDUMAH 

Well, they can have it. 

Tavwots 
But they should not be let fatten on our deer 
before they come to it. Winnemucca, whom I left 
at Deer Leap, will bring us word where they camp 
tonight. In the meantime there is much to do. 
[Rising.] 

Choco 
Much. No doubt Simwa will have something to 
suggest. 

Tavwots 
The Arrow Maker is not yet war leader, my 



8 THE ARROW MAKER 

friend. I go to the Chief and the Council. [He 
goes.] 

Choco 
And yet, I think the Chief favours Simwa, else why 
should he prefer to put the election to lot rather 
than keep to the custom of the fathers? 

Pamaquash 

There might be reasons to that, not touching the 
merits of the Arrow Maker. But, by the Bear, his 
luck is enough to dazzle the eyes of one less blind 
than Chief Rain Wind. [Sounds of the grief of 
women in the direction of the camp.] Tavwots has 
met the women! 

Choco 

They are coming to the Chisera. We should not 
have let them find us here; they will neglect her to 
beset us with questions. 

[To them enter three women of the campody of 
Sagharawite, carrying perfect-patterned, bowl-shaped 
baskets, with gifts of food for the Chisera. See- 
GOOCHE, the Chiefs wife, is old and full of dignity. 
TiAWA is old and sharp, but Wacoba is a comfortable, 
comely matron, who wears a blanket modestly yet to 
conceal charms not past their prime. Seegooche and 
Tiawa wear basket caps, but Wacoba has a bandeau 
of bright beads about her hair. They show signs of 
agitation, instantly subdued at sight of the men.] 

Seegooche 
Is this true that Tavwots has told us that the 
Castacs are upon us? 



THE ARROW MAKER 9 

Choco 
No nearer than Pahrump. Not so near by the 
time we have done with them. What gifts have 
you? 

TiAWA 

The best the camp affords. Think you we would 
stint when the smoke of the Castacs goes up within 
our borders .f^ 

Wacoba 
Where is she.^^ 

Choco 
Abroad in the hills gathering roots and herbs for 
tonight's medicine. Wait for her — we must go 
look to our fighting gear. 

Pamaquash 
[To Wacoba.] My bow case, is it finished.^ 

Wacoba 
And the bow inside it. See that you come not 
back to me nor to your young son until the bow 
string is frayed asunder. 

Choco 

If you do your work with the Chisera as well as 
we with Castac, you shall not need to question our 
bow-strings. 

[The men go out toward the camp.] 

Seegooche 
Leave us to deal — though if she cannot help us 
in this matter, I do not know where we shall turn. 



10 THE ARROW MAKER 

TiAWA 

Never have I asked help of her, and been dis- 
appointed. 

Wacoba 
Aye, but that was mere women's matters, weevil 
in the pine nuts, a love-charm or a colicky child. 
This is war! 

Seegooche 
[Still peering about.] As if that were not a woman's 
affair also ! 

TiAWA 

You may well say that ! It was in our last quarrel 
with Castac I lost the only man-child I ever had, 
dead before he was born. When the women showed 
me his face, it was all puckered with the bitterness of 
that defeat. You may well say a woman's matter! 

Seegooche 
That was the year my husband was first made 
chief, and we covered defeat with victory, as we 
shall again. It was Tinnemaha, the father of the 
Chisera, went before the gods for us, I remember. 

TiAWA 

Well for us that he taught her his strong medicine. 
Not a fighting man from Tecuya to Tehachappi but 
trusts in her. 

[Goes to the creek and dips up water to drink in her 
basket cap.] 

Wacoba 

[Tentatively.] It is believed by some that she 
makes medicine for Simwa, the Arrow Maker, and 



THE ARROW MAKER 11 

that is why his arrows are so well feathered and fly 
so swiftly to the mark. 

Seegooche 
Simwa! Why, he scoffs at charms and speaks 
lightly even of the gods. 

TiAWA 

[Giving the others to drink from her cap,] Aye, 
Simwa puts not faith in anybody but Simwa. 

Seegooche 
And with good reason, for he is the most skilful 
of the tribesmen. He has made all the arrows for 
the fighting men. Do you think they will make him 
war leader .f^ 

Wacoba 
[Ornamenting the basket she has brought with a 
wreath of flowers, which she plucks.] Padahoon will 
never agree to it. 

TiAWA 

But if Simwa is the better man.^ 

Wacoba 
The Great Hawk is older, and has the greater 
experience. 

Seegooche 
Prutt! If age and experience were all, my hus- 
band would not ask that a new leader be chosen. 
Young men are keenest-eyed and quickest afoot. 



12 THE ARROW MAKER 

TiAWA 

[Going over to Wacoba, aside from Seegooche.] 
So the Chief favours Simwa? I would not have 
thought it. 

Wacoba 

[Significantly.] Seegooche 's daughter is not mar- 
ried, and the Arrow Maker has many blankets. 

TiAWA 

Ugh, huh! So the scent lies up that trail? Well, 
why not.^ 

Wacoba 

Why not.^ The Chief's daughter and the war 
leader .f^ A good match. 

TiAWA 

[Going across to the hut.] Aye, a good match! . . . 
Do you know, I have never been in the Chisera's 
house. It is said she has great store of baskets and 
many beads. Let us look. 

Seegooche 
No, no; do not go near it. 

Wacoba 
[Alarmed.] Eama! Tiawa, she may be watching 
you. 

Tiawa 
[By the hut, but not daring to enter it.] What harm 
to visit a neighbour's house when the door is open? 
Besides, she makes no bad medicine. 



THE ARROW MAKER 13 

Seegooche 
We know that she does not, but not that she 
could not if she would. 

TiAWA 

[Returning reluctantly.] Why should we hold the 
Chisera so apart from the campody? Why should 
she not have a husband and children as other 
women? How can she go before the gods f6r us 
until she knows what we are thinking in our hearts? 

Wacoba 
[Jumping up.] I have seen something stirring in 
the alder bushes. I think the Chisera comes! 

Seegooche 
Do not be seen too near the hut. Come away, 
Tiawa. 

TiAWA 

Have you the presents ready? [The women take 
up their baskets hastily.] Hide your basket, Seegoo- 
che. It is not well to let all your gifts appear on 
the first showing, for if she is not persuaded at first, 
we shall have something of more worth. 

[The Chisera comes out of the trail by the almond 
bushes, young and tall and comely, but of dignified, 
almost forbidding carriage. She is dressed chiefly in 
skins; her hair is very long, braided with beads. She 
carries a small burden-basket on her back, supported by 
a band about her forehead. She removes this, and 
drops it at the hut, coming forward.] 



14 THE ARROW MAKER 

The Chisera 
Friends, what have we to do with each other? 
Seegooche, has your meal fermented? Or has your 
baby the colic again, Wacoba? 

Seegooche 

We have a gift for you, Chisera. 

[The women draw near timidly, each, as she speaks, 
picking up her basket and placing it at the Chisera's 
feet, and retire.] 

The Chisera 

[Looking at the gifts, without touching them.] The 
venison is fat and tender; Seegooche, there is no 
one grinds meal so smoothly as you. The honey is 
indeed acceptable. 

[After a pause, during which the medicine woman 
looks keenly at them.] 

TiAWA 

We do not come for ourselves, Chisera, but from 
the tribes women. 

Seegooche 
From every one who has a husband or a son able 
to join battle. 

The Chisera 
[Eagerly.] Is there battle? 

Seegooche 
Even as we came, there was word that the Castacs 
are camped at Pahrump, and before night our men 
must meet them. 



THE ARROW MAKER 15 

The Chisera 
And you ask of me ? 

Seegooche 
[Approaching appealingly and sinking to the ground 
in the stress of anxiety.] A charm, Chisera! 

TiAWA 

[Approaching with Wacoba.] A most potent 
medicine, O friend of the gods ! 

Wacoba 
That our men may have strength and discretion. 
That their hearts may not turn to water and their 
knees quake under them — 

TiAWA 

[Urgently.] May the bows of Castac be broken, 
and their arrows turned aside — 

Seegooche 
For the lords of our bodies and the sons of our 
bodies, a blessing, Chisera! 

Wacoba 
That our hearths may be kept alight and our 
children know their fathers — 

TiAWA 

When the noise of the battle is joined and the 
buzzards come, may they feed on our foes, Chisera — 



16 THE ARROW MAKER 

Seegooche 

O friend of the gods, befriend us ! 

[The women cast dust on their hair and rock to and 
fro while the Chisera speaks, casting up their arms 
in an agony of entreating.] 

The Chisera 

Am I not also a tribes woman? Would not I do 
this much for my people? But your gifts and your 
prayers will be acceptable to the gods, for myself I 
can do nothing. Who is this that comes? 

[The young girls steal up noiselessly through the 
bushes, led by the Chiefs daughter. Bright Water 
is lovely and young; her hair, flowing loosely over her 
shoulders and breast, is mingled with strings of beads 
and bright berries. Her dress of fringed buckskin is 
heavily beaded, her arms are weighted with armlets of 
silver and carved beads of turquoise; about her neck 
hangs a disc of glittering shell. She walks proudly, 
a little in advance of the others, who bunch up timidly 
like quail on the trail behind her. The women, catch- 
ing sight of the girls, spring up, frightened, and stand 
half protectingly between them and the Chisera.] 

TiAWA 

It is the Chief's daughter. 

Seegooche 
What do you here? You have neither sons nor 
husbands that you should ask spells and charms. 



THE ARROW MAKER 17 

Bright Water 
How, then, shall we have husbands or sons, if the 
battle goes against us? 

The Chisera 
Well answered, Chief's daughter. 

Bright Water 
[Surprised.] You know me? 

The Chisera 
I have heard that the loveliest maiden of Saghar- 
awite is called Bright Water, daughter of Rain 
Wind, Chief of the Paiutes. 

Seegooche 
[Going over to Bright Water.] You should have 
stayed in the wickiup, my daughter; you are too 
young to go seeking magic medicine. 

Bright Water 
The more need because we are young, mother. 
If the loss of battle comes to you, at least you have 
had the love of a man and the lips of children at the 
breast. But we, if the battle goes against us, what 
have we? 

The Chisera 
Ay, truly, Seegooche, there are no joys so hard 
to do without as those we have not had. 

Bright Water 
Therefore, we ask a charm, Chisera, for our sweet- 
hearts; and, in the meantime, may this remind 
you [She drops bracelet in the Chisera's basket.] 



18 THE ARROW MAKER 

White Flower 
[Going forward.] The scarlet beads for me, 
Chisera. I am to be married in the time of tas- 
selling corn. 

TUIYO 

The shells from me, Chisera; good medicine! 

Seyavi 

Strong Bow is my lover, Chisera. Bring him safe 
home again. 

[The girls retire after dropping their gifts in the 
Chisera's basket.] 

The Chisera 

[A little stiffly.] You have no need of gifts. Am 
I not young, even as you are.f^ Should you pray for 
your lover any more or less for the sake of a few 
beads? 

Seegooche 

[Anxiously.] Be not angry, Chisera. They would 
repay you for the dancing and singing. 

[The Chisera gathers up the gifts that the older 
women have brought and goes into the hut. The girls 
take up their gifts, puzzled.] 

Seegooche 
I am afraid you have vexed her with your foolish 
quest. 

Bright Water 
Has the Chisera a lover also that she speaks so? 



THE ARROW MAKER 19 

Seegooche 
It is not possible and we not know of it, for since 
her father's death if any sought her hand in mar- 
riage, he must come to my husband in the matter 
of dowry. 

Wacoba 
No fear that any will come while she is still the 
Chisera. 

Bright Water 
She is the wisest of us all. 

TiAWA 

Wisdom is good as a guest, but it wears out its 
welcome when it sits by the hearthstone. 

Bright Water 
She has great power with the gods. 

Wacoba 
So much so that if she had a husband, he dare not 
beat her lest she run and tattle to them. 

Seegooche 
She is our Chisera, and there is not another like 
her between Tehachappi and Tecuya. If she were 
wearied with stooping and sweating, if she were 
anxious with bearing and rearing, how could she go 
before the gods for us.^ 

TiAWA 

Ay, that is the talk in the wickiups, that we must 
hold her apart from us to give her room for her great 
oflBces, but I have always said — but I am old and 



20 THE ARROW MAKER 

nobody minds me — I have always said that if she 
had loved as we love and had borne as we have 
borne, she would be the more fitted to entreat the 
gods that we may not lose. 

Seegooche 
[As the Chisera comes out of the hut.] If you 
are angry, Chisera, turn it against our enemies of 
Castae. 

The Chisera 
You know that I cannot curse. 

TiAWA 

Is it true, Chisera, that you make no bad medicine? 

The Chisera 
Many kinds of sickness I can cure, and give easy 
childbirth. I can bring rain, and give fortune in 
the hunt, but of the making of evil spells I know 
nothing. 

Seegooche 
But your father, the medicine man — he was the 
dread and wonder of the tribes. 

The Chisera 
Ay, my father could kill by a spell, and make a 
wasting sickness with a frown, but he thought such 
powers not proper to women: therefore he taught 
me none. 

Wacoba 
But you will bring a blessing on the battle.^ Oh, 
Chisera, they do not tell us women, but we hear it 



THE ARROW MAKER 21 

whispered about the camp that the men of Castac 
are five-and-twenty, and even with the youths who 
go to their first battle we cannot make a score of 
ours. It is the Friend of the Soul of Man must make 
good our numbers. 

The Chisera 
Even now I go about to prepare strong medicine. 

Wacoba 
Come away, then, and leave the Chisera to her 
work. [Going.] 

Seegooche 
May the gods befriend you. If we have your 
blessing, we care little for another's curse. [Going.] 

The Chisera 
Stay. After all, we are but women together, and 
if a woman may give counsel, women may hear it. 

TiAWA 

Would we might hear yours today! 

The Chisera 
When the smoke of the medicine fire arises, so as 
to be seen from the spring, do you come up along 
the creek as far as the black rock. 

Women 
Yes, yes! 

The Chisera 
When you hear the medicine rattles, stand off by 
the toy on. 



22 THE ARROW MAKER 

Women 
By the toy on — yes ! 

The Chisera 
But when the rattles are stopped, and the singing 
falls off, come up very softly, not to disturb council, 
and hear what the gods have said. If the men speak 
against it, I will stand for you. 

Seegooche 
Our thanks to you, Chisera, for this kindness. 

TiAWA 

And though you are a Chisera, and have strange 
intercourse with gods, I know you a woman, by this 
token. 

The Chisera 

Doubt it not, but go. 

Seegooche 
Come away, girls. 

[They go out, the girls with them. But Bright 
Water lingers, and comes hack to the Chisera.] 

Bright Water 
Chisera 

The Chisera 
Chief's daughter.^ 

Bright Water 
Call me by my name. 



THE ARROW MAKER 23 

The Chisera 
Bright Water, what would you have of me? 

Bright Water 
Can you — will you make a charm for one going 
out to battle whose name is not to be spoken? 

The Chisera 
How shall the gods find him out, if he is not to be 
named? 

Bright Water 
[Earnestly.] Oh, he is handsome and strong in 
the shoulders; the muscles of his back are laced like 
thongs. He is the bravest 

The Chisera 
[Laughing.] Chief's daughter, whenever I have 
made love-charms, they have been for men hand- 
some and strong in the back. 

Bright Water 
[Abashed.] I know not how else to describe him. 

The Chisera 
[Still smiling.] And his name is not to be spoken? 
[Bright Water continues to look down at her mocca- 
sin.] If I had something of his; something he had 
shaped with his hands or worn upon his person, that 
I could make a medicine upon — 

Bright Water 
Like this? 

[Takes amulet from her neck and holds it out.] 



24 THE ARROW MAKER 

The Chisera 
[Taking it.] Did he give you this? 

Bright Water 
He made it. 

The Chisera 

[Examining it.] It is skilfully fashioned. 

Bright Water 
Will it answer? 

The Chisera 
To make a spell upon? Yes, if you can spare it. 

Bright Water 
Shall I have it again? 

The Chisera 
When the time is past for which the spell is made. 

Bright Water 
Make it, then; a powerful medicine against ill 
fortune in battle. And this for your pains, Chisera. 
[Holds out bracelet.] 

The Chisera 
[Proudly.] I want no gifts. Keep your bracelet. 

Bright Water 
[With equal pride.] The Chief's daughter asks no 
favours. 

The Chisera 
But if a Chisera choose to confer them? [With 
sudden feeling.] What question is there between 



THE ARROW MAKER 25 

us of Chief's daughter and Chisera? We are two 
women, and young. 

Bright Water 
[Uncertainly.] The Chisera is the friend of the 
gods. 

The Chisera 

And therefore not the friend of any tribes woman? 
[Passionately.] Oh, I am weary of the friendship of 
the gods! If I have walked in the midnight and 
heard what the great ones have said, is that any 
reason I should not know what a man says to a 
maid in the dusk — or do a kindness to my own kind 
— or love, and be beloved .^^ 

Bright Water 
[Moved.] Therefore take it, [Offering bracelet 
again.] as one woman from another — and you shall 
make the charm for me for love. 

The Chisera 
[Taking the gift.] I shall make it as though I 
loved him myself. 

Bright Water 
[Startled.] Oh, I did not say I loved him. 

The Chisera 
[Smiling.] No? 

Bright Water 
[Studying the pattern of her moccasin.] Is it true, 
Chisera, that you have been called to the council 



26 THE ARROW MAKER 

that decides upon the war leader who is to be chosen 
in my father's place? 

The Chisera 
I am to inquire of the gods concerning it. 

Bright Water 

[Diffidently.] Chisera, I have heard — my father 
thinks — Simwa, the Arrow Maker, is well spoken of. 

[The first note of the love call is heard far up the cliffs. 
The Chisera starts and controls herself.] 

The Chisera 

[Coldly, in dismissal, and rising.] Simwa needs 
the good word of no man. It shall be as the gods 
determine. 

[Goes over to hut. The love call sounds nearer.] 

Bright Water 
[After a moment's hesitation.] Farewell, Chisera. 
[She goes.] 

The Chisera 
[Looking up the trail.] Ah, Simwa, Simwa, what 
bond there is between us, when if I but pronounce 
thy name in my heart, thy voice answers. [The love 
call is repeated far up the cliffs above her hut, and 
she answers it, singing:] 

Over-long are thy feet on the trails, 

O Much Desired! 
Dost thou not hear afar what my blood whispers. 
Betraying my heart as the whir 
Of the night-moth's wings betrays the lilies.'^ 



THE ARROW MAKER 27 

[As she sings, Sim^a, in full war dress, comes drop- 
ping down, hand over hand, from the rocks, until he 
stands beside her.] 

SiMWA 

Did you not hear me when first I called? 

The Chisera 
I heard you, Most Desired. When do I not? 
Even when I sleep, my heart wakes to hear you. 
The women have been with me. 

SiMWA 

You know then? 

The Chisera 
That this very night a war party of ours must go 
out to meet the Castacs. 

SiMWA 

And before that there will be a council to choose 
a war leader? Has the Chief told you? 

The Chisera 
Not since this latest word, but yesterday he bid 
me prepare a strong medicine, for he thought the 
election would be made by lot. But I did not tell 
him, O Much Desired, that I had already made 
medicine before the gods a night and a day to let 
the choice fall on you. A day and a night by Deer 
Leap on Toorape, where never foot but mine had 
been, I made medicine, and the answer is sure. 

SiMWA 

That I shall get the leadership. 



28 THE ARROW MAKER 

The Chisera 
When have the gods denied me anything that I 
asked for your sake, Arrow Maker of Sagharawite? 

SiMWA 

Then Pahawitz hunts on a cold trail, and there is 
nothing for me to do? 

[He sits on the bank and the Chisera sits below 
him.] 

The Chisera 

Beloved, there is much to do, for before the shadow 
which lies between my feet has grown tall again, 
I must make medicine for the sake of this war; and 
I have spent so much on you, the power goes from 
me. Now, you must put your hand upon my heart, 
and nurse it warm, so that the people lack nothing 
of their Chisera. 

SiMWA 

Is that good, Chisera .^^ 
[Puts his arm about her.] 

The Chisera 
Very good, Friend of my heart. 
[She leans upon his arm.] 

SiMWA 

[Quickened by the caress.] Chisera, what did you 
do before I came.^ 

The Chisera 
Oh, then I lived in the dream of you, though I did 
not know very well what it was that pricked me 



THE ARROW MAKER 29 

through the days. When I ran in the trails, my 
heart expected you at every turn, and in the dark 
of the hut the sense of you brooded on my sleep. 
But I thought it was all for the gods. 

SiMWA 

[Fatuously.] Until I came. 

The Chisera 
Did I tell you, Simwa, that day when first you 
found me dancing in the sun — you had been gath- 
ering eagles' feathers for your arrows, 4o you remem- 
ber .^^ — and came dropping from the rocks as you 
did just now — I thought that day that you were of 
the gods yourself, for I was sick with longing, and 
the spring was in my blood. 

Simwa 
And when I came again, what did you think.? 

The Chisera 
That you were the man most deserving their 
favour, and that all the medicine I had learned 
until then was merely that I might persuade them 
for your sake. 

Simwa 
[Sitting up.] Chisera, when you go up to the 
Friend of the Soul of Man, you cannot be always 
asking for the tribespeople. Do you not sometimes 
ask for yourself.'^ 

The Chisera 
What should I ask for when I have your love? 



30 THE ARROW MAKER 

SiMWA 

For friends, perhaps, who are to be rewarded, or 
those who have done you injuries? [Watching her.] 

The Chisera 
[Laughing.] Once, Simwa, I made a strong medi- 
cine all for myself. In the beginning, before I was 
sure of you, I made a singing medicine to draw you 
from the camp. And you came, Arrow Maker of 
Sagharawite, you came. [Laying her hands on his 
hosom.] Did you not feel me draw you? 

Simwa 
Often and often, as it were a tie-rope in my bosom 
between us. [Letting go her hands and stretching 
himself preparatory to rising.] But I did not think 
it was your medicine. 

The Chisera 
What then? 

Simwa 
[Rising and walking about.] Your beauty and the 
wonder of your dancing. 

The Chisera 
Tell me, Simwa, in the beginning I know you did 
not believe, but now you understand the power I 
have from the Friend of the Soul of Man? 

Simwa 
Surely, now that I am about to be made war 
leader by means of it. 



THE ARROW MAKER 31 

The Chisera 
[Rising and going back to feathering the prayer- 
stick.] But I have heard the women gossiping at the 
spring 

SiMWA 

What did they say? 

The Chisera 
That Simwa does not beheve in charms and scoffs 
at the gods. 

Simwa 
That was true — [Recovering.] once. But now 
that I am become the most notable arrow maker in 

Sagharawite 

The Chisera 
Now, now you do not scoff at the Chisera? 

Simwa 
[Embarrassed.] But it is not always well for a man 
to say what he thinks. If I were to tell in the 
campody whence my good fortune is, would not 
Padahoon do me some discredit for it? 

The Chisera 
But, Simwa, am I never to come to you as other 
women to the wickiups of their husbands? 

Simwa 
What need, Chisera, when I come so often to 
yours? 

The Chisera 
The need of women to serve openly where they love. 



32 THE ARROW MAKER 

SiMWA 

But what service could you do me when you had 
lost the respect of the tribesmen? You know the 
tribal custom. It is not for the Friend of the Gods 
to dig roots and dress venison. 

The Chisera 
I have not found the gods any the less friendly 
since I have loved, Arrow Maker; and I know not 
why it should seem strange to the others that I 
should know love as — as we have known it. Only 
today the girls of the village came to me to buy a 
charm to keep their lovers safe in war. There was 
not one but dared to ask, even though she would not 
speak her lover's name for bashfulness. See, one 
of them gave me this to make medicine upon. 

SiMWA 

[Taking it] Bright Water gave you this? 

The Chisera 
[Surprised.] How did you know? 

SiMWA 

I thought you said — that is, I have seen her wear 
it. Did she tell you from whom she had it? 

The Chisera 
Not by his name, but by the way he looked to her. 

SiMWA 

How was that? 



THE ARROW MAKER 33 

The Chisera 
As every lover looks to every maid — tall and 
strong and straight in the back. Even as you look 
to me, Beloved. 

SiMWA 

[Relieved, giving back the amulet.] May your medi- 
cine preserve him. And, as for me, Chisera, I wish 
I could persuade the tribesmen to look as favourably 
on me as you do. 

The Chisera 

But you have no enemies. 

SiMWA 

The Sparrow-Hawk, without doubt. Could you 
give me a curse for him.f^ 

The Chisera 
[Rising.] Ah, you should not have asked me that. 
Never since my father died have I thought to regret 
that he did not teach me the making of evil medicine. 
Would I had all the curses in the world! [Turning 
piteously to him.] But you do not love me any the 
less because I have not one little, little curse to give 
you.? 

SiMWA 

No, it is nothing. No curse can reach me past 
your blessing. But I would not have thought the 
old man would leave you wholly unprotected. Why, 
even I could wrong you, and, without a curse 
[Trying to speak lightly.] you could not pay me for it. 



34 THE ARROW MAKER 

The Chisera 

If no one does me more wrong than you, Simwa, I 
need no cursing. But, in truth, my father did give 
me — Ah, now I have thought of another gift for 
you. Arrow Maker of Sagharawite! Before he died, 
the medicine man, my father — did I not tell you? 
[She rummages eagerly in her medicine hag.] — gave me 
this magic arrow against my evil hour. [Drawing it 
out,] See how heavy it is, and how the blood drain 
is cut in a medicine writing round and round the 
shaft. 

Simwa 

What magic has it? 

The Chisera 
That however far and feebly it is shot, it flies 
straight to the mark, over hills and high mountains, 
in the dark or light, and death rides upon its shaft. 
[Laughing.] Why, you could kill even me with this 
arrow. See, I have sewed it in your quiver, so that 
you may not mistake it and shoot it away on any 
slight occasion. It is my latest gift to you. Beloved. 

Simwa 

Thanks for the gift, Chisera. Now give me the 
quiver. I must join the others before the council. 
The fighting men were painting their faces when I 
came. 

[A war-whoop is heard at a distance.] 

The Chisera 
I hear shouting. 



THE ARROW MAKER 35 

SiMWA 

I must go quickly. I would not have Padahoon 
find me here. 

The Chisera 

Yes, he would brood upon it like a sage hen, until 
he had hatched mischief. Oh, Simwa, though I 
have prayed the gods until they and I are weary, to 
keep you safe in this war, yet my heart shakes to see 
you go. There is a beating in my breast as of the 
wings of vultures after battle. 

Simwa 
You have wearied yourself too much making 
medicine. If you have no more faith in the gods, 
have a little in me. If I can go out of Sagharawite 
as war leader, I shall come back with the spoil of 
Castac. [Shouts are heard nearer than before.] Now 
I go quickly ! [He turns carelessly from her lingering 
caress and crosses to the toyon, starting back at the sight 
of Padahoon, moving noiselessly through the chaparral, 
blanketed and watchful.] What has the Sparrow- 
Hawk eaten when a nabe that he must visit the 
Chisera on the eve of council. 

Padahoon 
I come from the Chief — but I had not expected 
to find Simwa, the scoffer, before me. 

Simwa 
[Uneasily.] 1 have been gathering eagles' feathers 
for my arrows under Toorape. 



36 THE ARROW MAKER 

Padahoon 

Quite so — and are not the first hunter to find 
the shortest way past the house of the Medicine 
Woman — but it is well known that Simwa seeks 
no charms for himself — The Chief has been asking 
for you. 

[He passes on to the Chisera, standing stiffly with 
strained attention by her hut. Simwa hesitates, re- 
covers himself and passes out with the appearance of 
indifference.] 

Chisera, Rain Wind, Chief of Sagharawite, greets 
you, and bids me say that at the moth-hour he will 
be here with the fighting men to invite the favour of 
the gods in this war with Castac. 

The Chisera 
And before that ? 

Padahoon 
There will be a Council — 

The Chisera 
To choose a war leader. 

Padahoon 
So the Chief has said. 

The Chisera 
And is it the purpose of the Council to put this 
election to the gods.? 



THE ARROW MAKER 37 

Padahoon 
It may come to that — [A pause.] Chief Rain 
Wind is a dotard. What should a woman know of 
these matters? 

The Chisera 
x\ll that the gods are thinking in their hearts. 

Padahoon 
The gods, ay! But what word have the gods of 
the affairs of Sagharawite except as you carry it? 
Now between us — Chisera 

The Chisera 
What is there between us, Padahoon, that our talk 
should be otherwise than appears at the Council? 

Padahoon 

There should be a matter of two doeskins, tanned 
white and fine, [He produces them from under his 
blanket.] if the gods are friendly. Look, Chisera! 

[He spreads them out before the Chisera, who is 
seated by the hut, feathering a prayer-stick.] 

The Chisera 
[Pointing to the arrow slit in the skin.] Now, by 
the look of that mark, you must have had arrows of 
Simwa. 

Padahoon 
[Dropping the doeskins negligently.] Oh, the man 
can make an arrow. 

[As he stands again, his hands are folded inside his 
arms; he is not so sure of his errand.] 



38 THE ARROW MAKER 

The Chisera 
But not lead a war party? 

Padahoon 
A war leader, Chisera, should be neither old and 
timid, nor young and over-bold, but of middle years 
and discretion; not so hot in his heart that his head 
cannot reason with it, nor so reasonable that it cools 
his heart. 

The Chisera 
Like . . . Padahoon. 

Padahoon 
[Wheedling.] What will the gods think of a blanket 
of the Navajoes — [He spreads it out before her.] thick 
and fine — and four strings of shells — and a cake of 
mesquite meal — ? 

The Chisera 
Are the gods a-cold, Padahoon, that you bring 
them a blanket .^^ Is there hunger in their camp, 
think you.? 

Padahoon 
Let the things stay in yours, Chisera; they will 
remind you to speak well of me when you go before 
the Friend of the Soul of Man. 

The Chisera 
Put up your pack, Padahoon ! 

Padahoon 
It is a little matter, Chisera; a handful of sticks 
thrown on the ground. What should the gods care 



THE ARROW MAKER 39 

for a handful of sticks? And the blanket is very 

thick. Shall I leave it a little while, that you may 

admire it? 

The Chisera 

Put up your pack, Padahoon, and learn not to 

think so lightly of the gods, lest they visit it upon 

you! 

Padahoon 

[Reluctantly putting up the bribe; after a pause, 

revolving new measures.] Chisera, this is a man's 

business which comes before you in the Council. 

Will you hear man-talk from me? 

The Chisera 
Is it possible the Great Hawk does so much credit 
to my understanding? 

Padahoon 

Chisera, we have had peace now at Sagharawite 
so many summers that scarcely a man of us besides 
myself has seen battle; also we are a little out- 
numbered. Have you thought, Chisera, what will 
come to Sagharawite if we go out under an untried 
leader? 

The Chisera 

What will come will be as the gods determine. 
What reason have you to think they will favour you 
more than Simwa? 

Padahoon 
It is my experience, Chisera, that the gods are 
inclined to the better man. And, look you, Chisera, 
this is perhaps my last chance to serve my people. 



40 THE ARROW MAKER 

Comes another war, if there are enough of us left 
after this to make another war possible, I shall be 
too old for leadership. And I have that in me 
which I would prove before I die. This is man-talk, 
Chisera. Do you understand it.^ 

The Chisera 
I understand that you want greatly this election, 
but I can do nothing except as the gods declare. 
Put up your pack, Padahoon, I have work to do. 
[Rising.] 

Padahoon 
[Putting up his pack.] How much did Simwa give 
you.^ 

The Chisera 
[Startled.] Simwa! [Recovering herself.] The 
Arrow Maker of Sagharawite leaves all higher mat- 
ters where they belong. 

Padahoon 

Simwa put trust in the gods ! Simwa believe that 
by singing and dancing and waving of arms, with a 
rag of buckskin and a hair of your head and three 
leaves of a seldom-flowering plant, you can turn the 
fortunes of war.^ This will be news for the fighting 
men, Chisera. 

The Chisera 

[Quivering, but controlling herself.] Padahoon, now 
by this I am minded to prove what the gods can do 
against tale-bearers and snakes in the grass! [Bal- 
ancing her medicine stick for a moment, she seems on 



THE ARROW MAKER 41 

the point of invoicing the gods against him, hut thinks 
better of it.] Nay, but the gods have greater affairs. 
[Sound of the drums in the direction of the camp.] Now 
I go about to prepare strong medicine so that you 
shall know, Padahoon, how the gods choose between 
you and the Arrow Maker. 

[She goes into the hut and lets fall the curtain. Enter 
certain of the old men and hoys to prepare for the 
council.] 

WiNNEDUMAH 

Is the Chisera advised of the Council .^^ 

Padahoon 
Even now she prepares herself in the wickiup. 
Where is the Chief .^^ 

WiNNEDUMAH 

He stays only until the fighting men are gathered 
together. 

Padahoon 

I will join them. See that the Chisera is not dis- 
turbed before her time. [He goes out.] 

WiNNEDUMAH 

Over there in front of the wickiup, one of you light 
the medicine fire, but do not light it until the Chisera 
comes. [Yavi and another prepare the fire.] 

Yavi 
How is it that the Chisera will discover the will 
of the gods.?^ 



42 THE ARROW MAKER 

WiNNEDUMAH 

Spread a blanket there, where the Chief and the 
Chisera will sit — [To Yavi.] By the casting of the 
seven sacred sticks. As the gods will they make the 
sticks to fall in a sign that she can read. 

Yavi 
Is it so that the Medicine Worker sometimes fails.? 

WiNNEDUMAH 

Medicine men have died at it before now — and 
better so, for otherwise they should have died by the 
law. 

Yavi 
Is that the law.f^ 

WiNNEDUMAH 

Surely, surely. For of what use is an advocate 
with the gods if he cannot get to them. It would 
be so with the Chisera. 

[As the preparations have gone forward, the sound of 
the drums and rattles, with an occasional subdued 
whoop, has drawn nearer, and the fighting men, led by 
the Chief, in full fighting gear, arrive in single file in 
line to the drums. The procession breaks into groups 
in the open space before the Chisera's hut.] 

Chief 
Chisera, come to Council! [She enters from the hut 
in full ceremonial dress.] Let the Council sit. 

[Eleven of the elders seat themselves in a circle about 



THE ARROW MAKER 43 

the fire, turning toward the Chief. The others stand 
or sit attentively in the background.] 

The Chisera 
[Advancing to his side.] Rain Wind, Chief of 
Sagharawite, what will you have of me? 
[WiNNEDUMAH Ughts the medicine fire.] 

Chief 
To carry a matter too hard for us before the Friend 
of the Soul of Man. 

The Chisera 
Nothing that men contrive in their hearts is too 
hard for the gods. Speak, then! 
[Goes and sits beside Chief.] 

Chief 

Tribesmen, for as many years as a fir tree needs 
to bear cones, I have been Chief in Sagharawite. 
Now I am old, and, like a badger, see only my own 
trail — [Grunts of dissent] and my legs carry me no 
further than my eyes see. Therefore, since there is 
war with Castac concerning the pinon trees which 
are ours, [Grunts and exclamations.] it is right you 
have a younger man to lead you. But, since it has 
never happened that there must be a war leader 
chosen while there is a chief alive and sitting in 
council, I think it well to inquire how the gods stand 
toward us. Tribesmen, what do you say? 

[Sits with great dignity.] 



44 THE ARROW MAKER 

Choco 
[Speaking with great deliberation and winning sober 
approval.] Chief Rain Wind has said. The occa- 
sion is strange and the candidates of such diverse 
but equal merit that it is not possible for a just man 
to choose between them. Let the Chisera carry it 
to the gods. 

WiNNEDUMAH 

Ay, to the gods with it: who knows but the dif- 
ficulty is of their devising.^ 

[A murmur of approval from the Council.] 

Tavwots 
Tribesmen, I am as much as any man for the gods 
in matters which are within their province, but this 
is a plain affair of the tribal use. Let the leader- 
ship go where it belongs, with years and experience, 
and do not weary the gods to do for us what we can 
very well do for ourselves before we come to the 
greater matter. 

WiNNEDUMAH 

What greater matter is before us than the choice 
of a war leader.^ 

Tavwots 

The goodwill of the gods to be on our side when 
we meet with the men of Castac. 

[This is thought well of by the bystanders.] 

Choco 
And will they not then pour out favour more freely 
on a leader of their own choosing? 
[General approval.] 



THE ARROW MAKER 45 

Chief 
This is truth which Choco says — whom the gods 
will favour they favour. They are not greatly bound 
to the choice of men. 

The Council 
Good counsel! good counsel! 
[Assent from the bystanders.] 

Tavwots 

[Rising, with earnestness.] Tribesmen, I am not 
myself of two minds in this business. I speak freely 
for Padahoon according to our custom which is, with- 
out discredit to the Arrow Maker, for the leadership 
of the elder. But at least let us remember that the 
gods have high affairs; they are not always listen- 
ing to the gossip of the camp fire and the hut. What 
word have they of Sagharawite except as the Chisera 
carries it.f^ If we put the choice to them, let her know 
what we are thinking in our hearts. Let Simwa and 
Great Hawk declare it so that we and the gods shall 
know how they stand toward the conduct of this 
war. I have said. 

[Seats himself amid general approval.] 

Old Men 
Good counsel ! Good counsel ! 

Tribesmen 
Simwa! Padahoon! The Arrow Maker! Pada- 
hoon ! 



46 THE ARROW MAKER 

Chief 
Padahoon, you have the more years; say what you 
will do, and do you, Chisera, bear it well in your 
heart as you go up before the Friend of the Soul of 
Man. 

The Chisera 
The trail of the gods is hard and none may walk 
therein save those that walk sincerely. Speak, then! 

Padahoon 
[Rising.] Chief and Tribesmen, you know me. 
What I think in my heart, I say; and what I say I 
do. The pinon trees are ours, since the time of our 
fathers' fathers — [General assent] and this is a vain 
fight for the men of Castac. Inasmuch as they 
have crossed our borders, they do evilly, but they 
are also Paiutes, as we are, and sons of the Bear. 
Aforetime when the Tecuyas came against us, they 
were as our brothers. Now, were I war leader, I 
should leave them at Pahrump and, going up behind 
the ridge of Toorape, strike at their villages. When 
we have their women and children and their stores, 
we can make terms with our brothers of Castac. So 
shall we save our honour and our allies. 

Indians 
Good counsel! Ugh! Huh! Padahoon! Good 
counsel! 

Chief 
Speak, Simwa! 



THE ARROW MAKER 47 

SiMWA 

[Rising.] Shall I call a thief my brother, and is a 
poacher my fellow that I should respect him? Sons 
of the Bear are the men of Castac? Ay, bastard 
sons, and the coyote is their mother. [Grunts and 
cries of approval.] The Castacs have filled up our 
springs and driven our deer. They have stalked 
our hunters in the hills — [Grunts.] Ay, but we 
have given the stalkers arrows of ours to keep. 
[Grunts of satisfaction.] Shall we go after our arrows, 
men of Sagharawite, or shall we wait until our 
"brothers" of Castac come and stroke us.^^ I am 
not so old as Padahoon, nor so wise, but, by the Bear 
that fathered us, were I war leader for the space of 
one moon, there would be no more men of Castac 
to trouble our harvest. 

Indians 
Simwa ! Simwa ! The Arrow Maker ! 

Old Men 
Padahoon ! Padahoon ! 

Chief 
Tribesmen, the wisdom of Padahoon is sound, and 
such as every man has in his own head; but the 
speech of Simwa is a water of mirage about our 
understanding. Shall we try what the gods will do? 
[Nods and grunts of approval.] 

Old Men 
The gods — the Chisera — the Chisera! 



48 THE ARROW MAKER 

Chief 
The best of the spoil of Castac is yours, Chisera, 
if the choice be fortunate. 

The Chisera 
[Rising to begin.] I want no spoil; this is also my 
quarrel. How will you have the venture tried .^ 

Indians 

The sticks! The sacred sticks! 

[The Chisera produces the sticks from her medicine 
hag, and hands them to one of the Old Men. To each 
of the others who will dance with her {Jive or six) she 
gives a fetich from her hag. They have already put on 
appropriate head-dresses and are prepared for dancing. 
She motions the rattles to begin. Behind her are the 
Old Men, with the drums and rattles; on each side, 
the Fighting Men seated on the ground. The dance 
begins, the Chisera singing. The Old Men keep 
up a croonifig accompaniment; from time to time the 
Fighting Men join the singing and exhibit a growing 
excitement as the dance progresses. At the last, the 
Chisera, whirling rapidly, falls to the ground. In- 
stantly the rattles are stopped, and the people wait in 
suspense the word of the gods. The women are seen to 
steal up through the toy on bushes. The Chisera lifts 
herself slowly on one elbow, as if waking from a drugged 
sleep. She stretches out her hand for the sacred sticks. 
She drops them with a quick turn of the wrist, gathers 
them up and drops them again, seeking for an augury. 
She throws up the arm with the medicine stick and 
begins to chant.] 



THE ARROW MAKER 49 

The Chisera 
The bows of Castac shall be broken. 
The bow-strings shall break asunder. 
The bows of thy foes shall be broken and the vul- 
tures come to battle. 

[Excitement and confusion.] 

Indians 
The omen, the omen! the war leader! 

The Chisera 
[Chanting.] The Maker of Arrows shall lead you. 
He that makes arrows of eagles' feathers, 
Arrow Maker of Sagharawite, he shall lead you, 
Simwa shall break the bows of Castac. 

Omnes 

Simwa ! 

[The Indians break into a great shout for Simwa. 
Rain Wind puts a collar of bears' claws about Simwa's 
neck, lifts his war-bonnet and places it on his head, 
Simwa raises his war club with a great shout, dancing 
about the half-prostrate form of the Chisera, the 
Fighting Men one by one falling into the dance with 
wild exultant movements, chanting.] 

The bows of Castac shall be broken! 

The bow-strings shall break asunder ! 

He shall break the bows of Castac ! 

CURTAIN 



ACT SECOND 



ACT SECOND 

Scene. — The campody of Sagharawite, three months 
later, near the new wickiup of the Arrow Maker, 
At the right, the house of Rain Wind, and behind 
all, a spring under a clump of dwarf oaks. A little 
trail runs between stones to connect the Arrow 
Maker with the rest of the campody, and beyond it 
the valley rises gently to the Sierra foothills, brood- 
ing under the spring haze. A little to the fore of 
Simwa's house lies a great heap of blankets, baskets 
and camp utensils, displayed to the best advantage, 
the wedding dower of the Chiefs daughter. By her 
father's house Bright Water is being dressed for 
bridal by her young companions. They braid, her 
hair, paint her face, tie her moccasins and arrange 
her beads over the robe of white doeskin; they laugh 
as they work and are happily important as is the 
custom of bridesmaids. 

At the left and back Simwa, Tavwots and others are 
gambling with dice made of halves of black walnut 
hulls, filled with pitch, the numbers indicated by 
bits of shell embedded in the pitch. They are shaken 
in a small basket and turned out on a basket plaque. 

The older men look on, smoking. Tavwots is broad- 
faced and merry, and does not neglect to ogle the 
girls at intervals, which causes them to giggle and 
hide their heads in their blankets. The men have 

53 



54 THE ARROW MAKER 

on their holiday dress, especially the younger com- 
panions of SiMWA. 

Tavwots 
[ Throwing .] Five ! 

SiMWA 

[Throwing.] And five again! 

Indians 
Hi! Hi! 

Tavwots 
Four! 

SiMWA 

Seven ! [Exclamations.] 

Seegooche 

[Bringing a blanket.] Here, let us spread the 
blanket where the newly-married pair shall sit when 
first my daughter comes to her husband's house. 

[The women assist her, spreading it in front of 
Simwa's house.] v 

y^ TiAWA 

And this time next year, may you be a grand- 
mother. 

Seegooche 

I pray so. Tomorrow I shall go to the Chisera 
and get a charm to make it sure. 

Wacoba 
Does not the Chisera come to the wedding .f^ 



THE ARROW MAKER 55 

Seegooche 
I wished it so, but Simwa has no faith in magic 
medicine. He thinks we show her too much respect 
because of her mumblings and wavings of arms. 

Wacoba 
It would have been neighbourly to invite her. 

TiAWA 

I should be afraid lest some mischief came of this 

neglect. 

Seegooche 

So am I; but Simwa would not have her asked. 

[She passes to her own hut and brings out grain and 
pine nuts, with which the other women fill their cere- 
monial baskets.] 

TiAWA 

No doubt Simwa feels that the gods have done so 
much for him that he can afford to dispense with an 
advocate. 

Haiwai 

[Who has approached unnoticed.] Small wonder 
he thinks so when you remember how he brought 
our men back scatheless with the spoil of Castac. 
Seegooche, I bring the best of my share to grace 
your daughter's wedding. [Offers basket.] 

Seegooche 
[Taking it and handing it about.] My thanks to 
you. [Noticing the papoose which she carries strapped 
in a basket at her back.] And who is this that comes 
to my house uninvited.'^ 



56 THE ARROW MAKER 

Haiwai 
Nay, but he came to mine but five days since; 
and already he grips hke a man! 
[Showing him about proudly.] 

TiAWA 

Hey, little warrior ! 

TUIYO 

Ah, let me have him, Haiwai! I will hold him 
carefully. 

[Still seated, she reaches up her arms for the child 
and coos over it,] 

Bright Water 
Let me! [Takes the basket from Tuiyo and rocks 
the basket, crooning.] 

**Hey, little dove, hush, little dove, 
'Tis the wind rocking 
Thy nest in the pine tree. 
Hey, little dove." 

White Flower 
Chief's Daughter, do you think you will be able 
to do so well by your husband.'^ 

[Bright Water gives back the child to its mother 
in great confusion.] 

Haiwai 
Oh, never fear that the luck of the Arrow Maker 
will desert him for that! 

Seegooche 
Do not plague her. [The women return to their 



THE ARROW MAKER 57 

work.] It is the way with maids, the nearer they are 
to mothering the less they wish to hear of it. 

TiAWA 

Stiy I would see the Chisera if I were you. It 
is a pity she is not invited. 

TUIYO 

[Painting Bright Water.] Tell me, Seegooche, 
do I put the white on her cheeks too, or only on the 
forehead. 

Seegooche 

[Alarmed.] No, no white at all, not on her wed- 
ding day. It is an evil omen. 

TtJIYO 

[Wiping it off hastily.] Then I will take it off 
again. All the misfortune be on my head. 

Bright Water 
Never fear, mother, I am so defended by happiness 
no evil could get at me. 

White Flower 
Besides, the bride of Simwa need fear no omens. 
The luck of her husband will protect her. 

TUIYO 

[With a final touch.] There, come to the spring 
and see how lovely you are. 
[The girls all rise.] 



58 THE ARROW MAKER 

Tavwots 
That's a bad medicine you make for us unmarried 
men. 

Bright Water 
[Standing forth in her bridal array.] Is it so bad, 
Simwa? 

[SiMWA answers with his eyes.] 

Tavwots 
Already he is speechless, and I have staked him 
my collar of elks' teeth as a charm against it. 

Bright Water 

Tavwots, you have eaten meadow-larks' tongues. 
If you had a wife, you would keep her in a gambling 
basket. [At the spring.] Now I need only flowers 
for my hair. Let us go get them. 

[The girls go out.] 

Tavwots 
[Throwing down his collar of elks' teeth.] By the 
Bear, Simwa, I do not know how it is you persuade 
the gods to be always on your side. First you 
are made war leader, then you marry the Chief's 
daughter, and now you have my collar of elks' teeth 
to top all. 

SiMWA 

[Gathering up the stakes.] Will you take a chance 
to have it back again? 

Tavwots 
I would, if I had anything to stake you, but my 
luck has left me nothing but my shirt. 



THE ARROW MAKER 59 

SiMWA 

I will play you for that. 

Tavwots 
Not until after the wedding. [Rises.] 

SiMWA 

As you like. Your shirt against the collar. Do 
you play, friends.? 

First Indian 
Not I. 

Yavi 
Nor I. The luck is all to Simwa. [All rise.] 

Tavwots 
Yes. One would think he had been courting the 
Chisera. 

SiMWA 

[Who has risen, turning sharply.] How.? 

Tavwots 
I said I could not guess how you manage to be 
always winning, unless you have made love to the 
Chisera, and she has persuaded the gods for you. 
[Slapping him on the back.] Why, this is the first 
time you were ever accused of love-making and 
looked sourly over it! 

Simwa 
[Smirking.] No fault of mine if the women like 
a good figure. 



60 THE ARROW MAKER 

Tavwots 
No advantage either from this time henceforward. 
Here comes Chief Rain Wind to marry you to his 
daughter. 

Chief 
[Issuing from his wickiup in full holiday dress, 
blanketed.] Where is she? 

Seegooche 
She gathers flowers with her young companions. 
She comes presently. 

Chief 
Bid the married women prepare to bless the bridal. 
Are the guests all here.'^ 

Seegooche 
Choco and the others who went out to hunt early 
this morning have not yet returned. 

Chief 
I would speak with them when they come. And 
Padahoon.P 

Tavwots 
I do not know, unless he visits the Chisera. 

SiMWA 

[Startled.] Padahoon.^ 

Tavwots 
So often does he go to her house, if he did not have 
a wife already, I should think he had an eye to her. 
The best cut of my next kill against my shirt, Simwa, 



THE ARROW MAKER 61 

that he goes to find ways to make good against you 
the loss of the leadership. 

SiMWA 

[Complacently.] Padahoon cannot forgive me the 
victory at Castac. 

Tavwots 

Well, if the Tecuya Creek tribes keep up their 
quarrelling, we are all likely to wish you had not 
killed off so many of their fighting men. 

SiMWA 

I shall deal with the Tecuyas as I did with Castac. 

Tavwots 
The gods were with you. Next time Padahoon 
may win the Chisera to be on his side. 

SiMWA 

[Suspiciously.] What do you mean.'^ Am I not 
leader of Sagharawite.'^ 

Tavwots 
So long as we and the gods approve you. But if 
I were the gods, and the Chisera came dancing 

before me 

Chief 
Tavwots, your wit misleads you. The Chisera is 
not a subject for jest or the favour of men; she is 
an advocate with the gods for us. 

Tavwots 
Well, the gods have a handsome advocate. I 



62 THE ARROW MAKER 

should give her anything she asked. [Looking off,] 
See, bridegroom, the girls are dancing, and you not 
with them! 

[SiMWA and the younger men go out.] 

Chief 
[Detaining Tavwots.] Tavwots, what do you 
know of this Tecuya Creek matter? 

Tavwots 
More than I like to spoil a feast-day with. 

Chief 
Nevertheless, tell it. 

Tavwots 
They have forbidden all the campodies east of us 
from fishing in the river. Also they watch all the 
trails toward Toorape and take toll of passers. 

Chief 
On what grounds.'^ 

Tavwots 
None, I think, except that they are able. A bow- 
man of Tehachappi inquired of me how many fell 
at Castac, and I, thinking to glorify the tribe, — I 
told him. 

Chief 
What said he to that.^^ 

Tavwots 
What I should have expected. He grinned upon 



THE ARROW MAKER 63 

me like a sick coyote and said, "They are poor allies, 
the dead." 

Indians 
Ugh! huh! ugh! 

Chief 
Here are the hunters. They will know if there is 
mischief stirring. 

[Enter from the left, Choco and Pamaquash and 
another, carrying game.] 

Tavwots 
And with the Arrow Maker's own luck! 

Choco 
So far as the quarry goes. 

Chief 
But not for the hunters — ? 

Choco 
[To him.] Send the younger men away. I have 
a word for you. 

Chief 
You, Fleet-foot, Yavi, all of you — carry the 
game to the women and help them dress it for the 
feast. [The young men take up the game and go out, 
leaving Choco, Tavwots and the Old Men with the 
Chief.] Let us hear your word, Choco. 

Choco 
[Taking a long arrow from under his blanket.] 
What make you of that? 



64 THE ARROW MAKER 

Chief 
[Examining it,] Tecuya Creek, surely. 

Old Men 
[Handing it about,] Tecuya — Tecuya. 

Chief 
Where did you find it.^^ 

Choco 
Where I liked least to see it — in the body of a 
friend. 

Men 
Ah-a-a-ah ! 

Chief 
What friend? 

Choco 
Winnedumah. He went out to the hunt yester- 
day and was to have joined us this morning at Deer 
Leap. I found him by the crossing of the trails, 
with that through him. 

Chief 
Bad business. What say you it means.'' 

Choco 
That the Tecuyas think we dare not avenge it. 

Chief 
Dare not! Simwa must hear of this, but not on 
his wedding day. Tomorrow we will take counsel. 
I would I might have a word with Padahoon. 



THE ARROW MAKER 65 

Tavwots 
He is there on the barranca; I will call him. 
Oh — ee, Padahoon! 

Padahoon 
[Appearing on the barranca.] What now? [Ironi- 
cally.] Can not the Arrow Maker so much as take 
a wife without calling all the tribes to witness? 
[Coming down the barranca, noting their gravity.] 
What has happened? Is the Council called? 

Chief 
For tomorrow. In the meantime there is this. 
[Handing up the arrow.] 

Padahoon 
[Standing half-way down the bank as he exam- 
ines it.] An arrow of Tecuya. Blood? Blood of 
Sagharawite? 

Tavwots 
Of Winnedumah. 

Padahoon 
[Blazing forth.] By the Bear that fathered us! 
It is likely to prove an open wound in the honor of 
Sagharawite. Not ten sleeps have passed since the 
last of our fighting men returned from the killing of 
our blood brothers, and already we have a witness 
to our folly! The Tecuyas are three to one of us. 

Pamaquash 
But the luck of Simwa is more than three times 
that of Tecuya. 



66 THE ARROW MAKER 

Padahoon 
The fortunes of Simwa! What are they but the 
accidents of time and weather. A landslip on the 
trail, a rain storm that wetted their bow-strings and 
left ours dry. The rain has slacked your wits, Rain 
Wind, that you are not able to distinguish between 
the Arrow Maker and his luck. 

Chief 
The witness of the gods in his favour. 

Padahoon 
The gods are not always so attentive. Where was 
the luck of the Arrow -Maker that it has not saved 
us from this? [Shaking the arrow as he descends.] 
Show me something which we owe to Simwa if you 
would have me trust in him. 

Chief 

I will show you the pit of your own heart, Pada- 
hoon, and the adder that bites at the root of it. Yoi 
are jealous of the fame and the office of Simwa, bu1 
you shall not sink your venom in the minds of the 

fighting men. 

Padahoon 

I would I could sting them to understand that 

Tecuya comes against us, they will not trust so mucl 

to luck as to war craft. 

Chief 

Understand yourself that whatever comes of thii 
business of Tecuya, Simwa is still war leader. Yoi 



THE ARROW MAKER 67 

are too old a man, Padahoon, to be told that whoever 
lessens the credit of the war leader saps at the 
strength of Sagharawite. 

Padahoon 
Ay, I am an old man and in my dotage when I seek 
to set years of good faith and experience against the 
fortunate moments of a fool. 

Chief 

The Chief has spoken. No more of this until the 
Council. In the meantime, not a word to the women. 
It is an ill omen for a feast. 

[He goes out, followed by all but Tavwots and 
Padahoon.] 

Tavwots 

[Laying his hand on the shoulder of Padahoon.] 
By the Bear, Padahoon, I have been on your side in 
this matter heretofore, but now I think the Chief is 
right. It is an ill business setting men against the 
war leader in a time of danger. 

Padahoon 
You too, Tavwots — you have looked at the lure 
of the Arrow Maker's luck and do not see the snare 
which his want of wit spreads for your feet.^^ 

Tavwots 
[Uncertainly.] But if the fortune of Simwa is not 
his own, from whence is it.'^ 



68 THE ARROW MAKER 

Padahoon 
Tell me, Tavwots, when another man seeks favour 
from the gods, by whom does it come? 

Tavwots 
By the Chisera. But what 



Padahoon 
On the morning of the election, when I went from 
the Chief to advise the Chisera, I met Simwa by her 
hut. 

Pamaquash 
I also met him when I came back from Leaping 
Water to bring word to the women — he said he had 
been gathering eagles' feathers for his arrows. 



Padahoon 
So he said to me. Feathers for arrows when every 
man had his quiver full at his back ! 






Tavwots 

But Simwa puts no faith in magic medicine. 
Why, he has not even asked the Chisera to his 
wedding! 

Padahoon 
No, not even though the Chief's daughter urged it. 
[A pause full of significance.] 

\ 
Tavwots 
No, no ! Padahoon ! Unless the Chisera owned to i 
it herself, I would not believe it. The Chief is right. 
The wound of your jealousy festers and corrupts ] 



THE ARROW MAKER 69 

your tongue. [Turning his hack on Padahoon he 
claps Pamaquash on the shoulder.] Come and dance! 

Choco 

[Gathering his blanket around him.] Even if the 
Chisera owned it, I would not believe it. 

[The men move in the direction of the merry-making 
and are met by the younger people, laughing and shout- 
ing for SiMWA. Padahocws^ watches them bitterly for 
a while, and, revolving many things, draws his blanket 
up and departs in the direction of the Chisera's hut, 

J^ Young Men 

[Surrounding Simwa and crowding him forward. 
Hey, Simwa, a speech! A speech from the War 
Leader! 

Pamaquash 
Come, Arrow Maker, a speech for your bridal. 
[Laughter and approval.] 

Simwa 
[Drunk with popularity.] The War Leader loves 
deeds rather than talking. 

Tavwots 
We have seen what your fighting is like. Give us 
a speech. 

Simwa 

Friends and Tribesmen, the fortune of Simwa is 

Simwa. Does the Bear take weapons against the 

woodchuck, and shall the Sons of the Bear make 

charms against their enemies.^ The spoil of Castac 



70 THE ARROW MAKER 

is in our camp [Cheers.] and our young men hunt 
within their borders. [Applause.] If any of the 
tribes inquire where are the fullest harvests, the 
fattest deer, the prettiest maidens, [He flings his 
blanket about Bright Water.] bid him look for the 
land of Simwa the Arrow Maker. [Shouts and 
laughter.] 

Young Men 

Come, now, a dance, a dance! Tavwots, dance 
for us! 

[The cries increasing, Tavwots is pushed forward 
to dance y others cry for Pamaquash and Yavi, 
who join Tavwots, laughing, to dance the blanket 
dance, all the others singing and keeping time with 
swaying bodies. The girls hover about the dancers, 
and as at certain points in the dance the Young Men 
attempt to cast their blankets about the heads of the 
girls, they duck and squeal. Finally, amid much 
laughter, each dancer captures a girl, rubbing his cheek 
against hers, the Indian equivalent of a kiss. With 
great merriment the crowd moves off in the direction of 
the mesa, disclosing Padahoon and the Chisera, 
who have come up unobserved.] 

Padahoon 
Come this way, Chisera. The girls are out on 
the mesa, dancing with the bride, and the women 
are grinding at the metate for the marriage feast. 

The Chisera 
But where is Simwa? 



THE ARROW MAKER 71 

Padahoon 
With the bride, no doubt. Here is his wickiup, 
and here the marriage dower beside it. 

The Chisera 
All this.?> 

Padahoon 
Never so many gifts went to a wedding in Sag- 
harawite. Every woman whose man came back 
safe from the war gave a basket or a blanket, and 
Simwa gave all of his share of the spoil of Castac. 

The Chisera 
And that, I doubt not, is bitter for you to see, 
Padahoon. 

Padahoon 
Why, as to that, Chisera, it is good to see spoil 
of our foes in the camp; but the fighting men of 
Castac were our blood brothers. See, here is the 
blanket where the newly-married pair shall sit to 
receiye the blessings of the fruitful women. 

The Chisera 
[Bitterly.] But not the blessing of the Chisera. 
Never before, in my time, has there been a bride in 
Sagharawite but sent to ask my blessing. 

Padahoon 

Ay, but Simwa does not believe in charms and 

spells. [The Chisera seems about to break out 

angrily y but restrains herself. Padahoon watches her 

narrowly as he speaks.] Look, Chisera! Is not the 



72 THE ARROW MAKER 

bride fair? Fit to set a man beside himself with 
desiring? 

The Chisera 
She is but a child. ^Her breasts are scarcely 
grown. ) No fit mate for a war leader. 

Padahoon 
[Watching her.] But a man so well furnished with 
wisdom need not look for it in a wife. Is it not so, 
Chisera? 

The Chisera 
Padahoon, why do you tell me this? 

Padahoon 
[With the appearance of candour.] As often as I 
came to your house to get medicine, you asked me 
for news of the campody, and seemed best pleased 
with news of Simwa, the war leader; and with 
reason, since he has become the most notable man 
of the Paiutes. Yet, when I told you he was to be 
married today to the Chief's daughter, you were 
slow to believe. Now tell me if I have lied, Chisera. 

The Chisera 
You have not lied, Padahoon, but Simwa, he has 
lied in his heart. How long have you known this? 

Padahoon 
Since the time of the Taboose. 

The Chisera 
And why not told me? 



THE ARROW MAKER 73 

Padahoon 
How could I think the Chisera wished to know? 
It was a thing you might have heard from the 
women grinding meal or weaving baskets. But the 
Chisera does not often come to the village, except 
there is illness. 

The Chisera 
I have no time to gossip with the women. I have 
to go before the gods for- them and their children. 

Padahoon 
And now that you are told, what will you do? 

The Chisera 
Is there so much to do? 

Padahoon 
Only to give him your blessing. 

The Chisera 
[Bitterly.] Did I not give him that at Castac? 
[Begins to search about among Simwa's effects,] 

Padahoon 
What seek you, Chisera? 

The Chisera 
The arrow! the quiver! Surely Simwa does not 
dance at his wedding wearing his quiver? 

Padahoon 
No; but when he is not wearing it, no man knows 
where he hides it. 



74 THE ARROW MAKER 

The Chisera 
[Searching.] The quiver! I must find the quiver! 

Padahoon 
'T is said he has a magic arrow in it of such power 
he would have it fall into no man's hands. 

The Chisera 
[Muttering.] Ay, the arrow; the black arrow. 

Padahoon 
Chisera, why does this marriage disturb you? 

The Chisera 
Padahoon, why should you think it disturbs me? 

Padahoon 
You have come. 

The Chisera 
Why should not one maid come to the marriage 
of another? There is scarce two summers' differ- 
ence between me and the Chief's daughter. 

Padahoon 
Yes, but you come in your blanket. Such has 
not been your custom when you have come among 
us on errands of healing; then you dressed sumptu- 
ously, as befitted one bearing the word of the gods. 
Now you come like an angry woman who would 
hide what is in her heart. 

The Chisera 
[With dignity.] Cover your own heart, Padahoon, 



THE ARROW MAKER 75 

lest I ask what mischief breeds in it to bid you 
observe me so much. I have not forgot that you 
would have paid me a blanket to be made war 
leader in the room of Simwa. 

Spar row-Hawk 
[With ugly insinuation.] Ugh! huh! Perhaps I 
had been as fortunate as the Arrow Maker, if, in- 
stead of giving it, I had o^ered to share it with you. 

The Chisera 

Kima! Padahoon, you do tempt me to try if I can 
curse. 

-, Padahoon 

[Conciliatory.] I have no wish to anger the Friend 
of the gods, but I am a plain man wishing good to 
my campody and it seems not good to me that 
Simwa has grown suddenly so great. 

The Chisera 

[Recovering herself.] What has that to do with 
the Chisera.'^ 

Padahoon 

I have known this Simwa since he was first tied 
in a basket, and, though he has grown to be war 
leader, I think he is most like a pod of rattleweed 
that is swollen to twice its size at the end of the 
season, yet has no more in it than at the beginning. 
And I do not know how, without the help of magic 
medicine, he has come to be what he is with so little 
in him. 



76 THE ARROW MAKER 

The Chisera 
The Chief's daughter has trusted him. 

Padahoon 
She loves him. [During this scene, bursts of Indian 
music and singing have been heard at intervals. It 
grows louder. Padahoon and Chisera look off.] 
They come this way, Chisera. You are right. 
When a man has married so fair a wife, there is not 
much left to be done for him. 

The Chisera 
[With bitter irony, as she moves over against Simwa's 
hut and puts up her blanket.] I am not so sure. 

TiAWA 

It is Chisera. 

Seegooche 
[With alarm.] Where is my daughter .^^ 
[Bright Water enters with the young girls, laugh- 
ing] and talking. Her hair is braided with golden 
poppies and falls over her shoulders. She sees the 
CmsBHA^ standing, tall and still, by Simwa's hut, her 
whole figure shrouded in a blanket, which is drawn 
up to cover all of her face but the eyes.] 

Bright Water 
Who is it comes to my wedding uninvited ? How 
her eyes burn upon me! 

Seegooche 
Hush! She will hear you. It is the Chisera. 



THE ARROW MAKER 77 

Bright Water 
The Chisera? Never have I seen her hke this. 
But she has come to bring me a blessing? 

Seegooche 
Do not speak to her, my daughter; she is not in 
the humour for it. 

Bright Water 
Shall I not be courteous to the first guest who has 
come to my husband's house .^ Chisera, I am 
pleased that you have come to bless my marriage. 

The Chisera 
[Out of her blanket.] Where is Simwa? 

Bright Water 
He comes soon. [Going to her.] Last night I 
thought of you, and how you, alone of all Saghara- 
wite, had kept away from my happiness 

Seegooche 
Let be, daughter. [Pulling her sleeve.] It is ill 
stirring a coiled snake. [To the Chisera, with 
intent to draw her off.] Come this way, Chisera, and 
I will show you the wedding presents. 

The Chisera 
[Lowering her blanket a little.] Show me the Arrow 
Maker. 

[The elder men have entered, among them Rain 

WiND.l 



78 THE ARROW MAKER 

Chief 
What is this? 

TiAWA 

It is the Chisera asking for Simwa. 



Ah! ah! ahah! 


Men 




[Exchanging glances of inquiry 


and amazement] 




Chief 




Who is that behind her? 




Padahoon ! 


Wacoba 




Ugh! huh! 


Men 





Chief 
So? Why does she cover her face? 

TiAWA 

She makes medicine in her blanket. 

[The Indians draw close in two groups, the women 
together and the men on the other side. They watch 
the Chisera uneasily. Bright Water stands a 
little apart, the bridesmaids moving timidly toward the 
elder women. 

The Chisera 

[Putting down her blanket.] The Arrow Maker of 
Sagharawite is slow to the bridal. 

Bright Water 
He comes. He comes. 
[The young men enter, with Simwa in their midst. 



THE ARROW MAKER 79 

painted and befeathered as befits a handsome brave on 
his wedding day. Observing the Chisera, he checks 
and falters in his walk.] 

SiMWA 

Chisera! 

The Chisera 
Is it you, Simwa, who wed with the Chief's 
daughter? 

Simwa 

You are come, Chisera [Wholly at a loss.] 

You are come 

The Chisera 

I am come to your marriage, Simwa, though I am 
not invited. 

Bright Water 

But now that she is here, Simwa, you will ask her 
to bless us? 

Simwa 

[Recovering himself with an effort.] Surely, surely. 
But the married women have not blessed us yet. 
[Taking the bride's hand and leading her to the blan- 
ket. They seat themselves.] Come, Tiawa, have you 
no pine nuts in your basket? [With an effort to 
carry it off jovially.] What! will you have my wife 
dig roots before her wedding year is out? 

[The married women take up their baskets and begin 
the ceremony of sprinkling the bride with nuts and 
seeds in token of fruitfulness.] 



80 THE ARROW MAKER 

The Chisera 
[ Warningly . ] Sim wa ! Sim wa ! 
[The women leave off, huddling together, looking 
fearfully at the Chisera.] 

Seegooche 
[Getting between her and Bright Water.] What 
harm to you, Chisera, if the Arrow Maker weds where 
he loves? 

The Chisera 
[Looking steadily at Simwa.] Aye — where he 
loves — [Pleadingly.] Simwa! Simwa! 
[She droops in her blanket and turns away.] 

Seegooche 
[Lifting her basket to her shoulder again.] Let us 
go on with the marriage. 

Padahoon 
[To the company.] If the Chisera knows any reason 
why this marriage should not go on, should she not 
say it openly .f^ A word half spoken breeds suspicion 
faster than flies at killing time. 

Chief 
What talk is this of reasons? Have I not the dis- 
posing of my daughter in marriage? Reason enough, 
if I wish it so. 

Padahoon 
That which is most reasonable to men, the gods 
see otherwise. 

[A murmur begins in the camp, but Simwa takes it 
up instantly.] 



THE ARROW MAKER 81 

SiMWA 

He is thinking of the war with Castac. Truly, 
you were not eye to eye with the gods on that occa- 
sion, Padahoon. 

Padahoon 
Were I so sure it was of the gods, I had not stood 
out so against it. 

Chief 
Was not Simwa approved of the gods through the 
mouth of the Chisera? 

The Chisera 
So you think. 

Chief 
Is there another arrow maker so skilled between 
Tehechappi and Tecuya? Are any shafts better 
fashioned to fly straight to the mark.^^ Is there any 
hunter knows more surely where the herds feed, or 
strikes quicker the slot of a deer? 

The Chisera 
As you think. 

Chief 
Let be this talk of reasons. This is mere woman's 
mischief, to nod and wink and to make signs with 
the eyebrows. A woman would have you think 
reason enough for marrying if she liked or misliked 
it. Chisera, this is no matter for the gods, but a 
plain mating of man and maid. 

The Chisera 
[Flashing.] Since when have you talked with the 
gods, that you think to lesson me in their business? 



82 THE ARROW MAKER 

Chief 
Since you have been a father, to know reasons for 
the bestowal of daughters. 
[Grunts of appreciation.] 

The Chisera 
[Letting her blanket slip to her breast.] Know, then, 
that if these are your reasons, Rain Wind, there is 
no more meat in them than in the husk of acorns. 
If good fortune hangs on all Simwa's movements, 
it is by reason of the medicine I make that binds him 
to the favour of the Friend. 

SiMWA 

[Leaning on his elbows, with the manner of being 
quite at ease.] You are very free with your blessing, 
Chisera, if it is so; for it is well known in the camp 
that Simwa, the Arrow Maker, does not believe in 
charms, nor seek them. 

Indians 
[Grunting in assent.] Ugh! huh! 

The Chisera 

[Letting fall her blanket in a burst of indignation.] 
* * Nor seek them ! " — Ah ! Simwa ! Simwa ! 

[A short pause of embarrassment and consternation 
ensues. Then Padahoon, in a manner meant to 
seem impartial ] 

Padahoon 
The medicine of the Chisera is very powerful, but 



THE ARROW MAKER 83 

one must allow a little credit to the gods. Simwa 
was chosen war leader by the trial of the seven 
sticks. As the gods willed, they made the sticks to 
fall. Is it not so, Chisera? 



The Chisera 

[Sullenly, from her blanket.] I do not know. I 
did not look. [Letting fall her blanket and speaking 
proudly.] I had persuaded the Friend to give vic- 
tory to the war leader. What should I care for the 
sticks? A day and a night I made medicine, and 
the sign was sure. I said "Simwa" and the gods 
confirmed it. 

[The Indians remain silent, but draw a little away 
from Simwa.] 

Bright Water 

[Rising and turning toward her.] Chisera, why 
should you make medicine for Simwa.? 

The Chisera 
Chief's daughter, do not ask. 

Bright Water 
Chief's daughter I am, and wife of the war leader. 
Why should you concern yourself with his affairs? 

The Chisera 
[After a pause, with great dignity.] Because he 
loved me. 

Indians 
Ah! Ahah! Ah! 



84 THE ARROW MAKER 

SiMWA 

[Laughing.] The Friend of the gods has eaten 
rattle weed. Does a man love a wild woman who 
goes muttering and waving her arms, when she 
should be weaving and grinding meal? Would he 
take a wander-thought to his bed, and have witless 
children? Sooner I had a snake in my hut to run 
and tattle to the gods of me. 

Tavwots 
[To Padahoon.] Now, if it is true that he owes 
his fortune to the gods, they have deserted him, 
else he would not speak so to a jealous woman. 

SiMWA 

[Looking long at the Chisera, haggard and un- 
painted, her blanket trailing, and then to the Chiefs 
daughter, and hack again, all the eyes of the campody 
following.] Is there any comeliness in a witch, that 
a man should desire her? 

Seegooche 
[Alarmed.] Simwa, Simwa! If you have no care 
for yourself, at least remember my daughter! 

Simwa 
[Rising.] Have no care, mother. If I do not 
believe she can bless, neither do you believe that she 
can curse. 

Bright Water 
Mother, let be. If this be true that she speaks, I 
am already cursed. 



THE ARROW MAKER 85 

SiMWA 

[Going to his wife.] What have we to do with 
blessings or cursings? The Chisera is unsound in 
her mind. I have seen her dancing in the hills 
sometimes where I went to gather eagles' feathers 
for my arrows, and her madness has made a curious 

tale of it. 

Bright Water 

I would I might believe you! 

SiMWA 

[With returning complacency.] Do you find it so 
hard to have a husband whom other women admire.'* 

Padahoon 

Chief and Tribesmen, if it is true that Simwa 
values charms so little, let him declare what it is he 
keeps sewed in his quiver so precious that he must 
hide it even on his wedding day. 

[Murmurs. The Chisera, in alarm, endeavours 
to check ScARFACE. Simwa turns upon him with a 
snarl.] 

SiMWA 

Kima! [Wildly.] You cannot prove that I had 
it of the Chisera! 

Padahoon 

[Suddenly darting out two fingers from his mouth, 
moving them rapidly in the manner of a snake^s 
tongue, with a hissing sound.] Snake of two tongues ! 
Now I know you for the man you are, braggart and 
liar! 



86 THE ARROW MAKER 

SiMWA 

Coyote whelp! 

[SiMWA grasps a war weapon, a stone tied in a 
crotched stick, from the heap of wedding gifts, and 
smites Padahoon to the earth, standing threateningly 
over him. The others stiffen into tense attitudes, draw- 
ing their blankets tighter, their eyes burning bright. 
Padahoon draws the knife that hangs in a sheath at 
his neck. 

Chief 

[Putting SiMWA back with a hand at his breast.] 
Peace! Though you are made my son by this day's 
work, you shall not usurp judgment. [To Pada- 
hoon, as SiMWA moves slowly back, his weapon low- 
ered.] What charge do you make? 

Padahoon 
[Rising on his elbow to spit blood.] Thou art a liar, 
if ever there was one in Sagharawite, and have 
nothing which is not owed to the Chisera. 

Chief 
Speak straight, Padahoon, or, by the Bear, I shall 
let him kill you where you lie. 

Padahoon 
Three nights after the return from Tecuya, I saw 
you at the Chisera's house — and again in the rains 
— and at the time of Taboose. 

Chief 
Is it so, Chisera? 



THE ARROW MAKER 87 

The Chisera 
It is so. 

Padahoon 
Did you go there for love or profit? 
[SiMWA lets slip his weapon from his hand to the 
ground.] 

Chief 
Simwa, if you were the son of my body, I should 
not know which to believe. 

Simwa 

Believe him, if you like. [Sullenly.] If a skunk 
walk in my trail and leave a stink there, shall I go 
out of my way to deny that it is mine.? No doubt 
the woman is both mad and shameless. 

[Murmurs of indignation.] 

Seegooche 
[Afraid, but furious.] Then if you are shameless, 
begone! Stay not to vex the marriage of a maiden. 
Go! Have to do with your gods, and leave my 
daughter. 

Bright Water 
Mother! Mother! 

The Chisera 
Shameless, am I, Seegooche? Then there is one 
of your blood shall know a greater shame. Great 
hunter does she think her man? Aye, but she shall 
come to dig roots for him when he fails of the hunt 
and be glad of the offal the other women give her for 
pity. For this I say to you, tribesmen of Saghara- 



88 THE ARROW MAKER 

wite, that, though I cannot curse, yet I can take 
back my blessing. 

Bright Water 
All this is of no account, Chisera. No doubt you 
can contrive against the fame of Simwa, and bespeak 
the gods to neglect him; I wait to hear what proof 
you have that he loved you. 

Seegooche 
Do not vex her, daughter, lest she turn the gods 
against you also. 

Bright Water 
No matter, mother. What Simwa bears, I can 
bear. What proof, Chisera.? 

The Chisera 
What proof? 

[She turns toward Simwa, faltering. He smiles 
contemptuously.] 

Bright Water 
That Simwa loved you. 

The Chisera 
[Slowly f her eyes on Simwa.] He came to my hut 
— in the night — Chief's daughter, [Boldly.] even as 
he comes this night to yours. 

Bright Water 
[Impatiently.] But did he love you? 

The Chisera 
He made me so believe. [Looking about and noting 



THE ARROW MAKER 89 

the lack of conviction.] How else had he held me, 
since last the poppies bloomed, a lure to snare the 
favour of the gods? Does he say he was not blessed? 
Aye, twice blessed. [She takes from her bosom the 
amulet.] Was it not this you gave me to make 
medicine upon, to keep your lover safe in war? 
Twice blessed he was; but, as I made my blessing, 
so do I break it. 

[Drops the amulet and grinds it underfoot.] 

Indians 
[Moving uneasily.] Ah ! Ah ! 

The Chisera 
And this is the proof that I speak truly. From 
this day, whoever brings me arrows shall have med- 
icine upon them without price, and who would have 
news of the passing of the deer shall have it for the 
asking. Only Simwa shall have nothing but his own 
wit and the work of his hands, and by what befalls, 
you shall know the truth. 

Bright Water 
By this I know the truth! You never loved him, 
or you would not now betray him. 

The Chisera 
[Moving toward the trail.] And you. Bright Water, 
that think to lie in your husband's arms this night, 
know that I have lain there before you. And you 
shall not dare to laugh as a bride laughs, lest it be 
to him my voice in the dusk; and if he turns and 



90 THE ARROW MAKER 

sighs in his sleep, you shall wonder if he dreams of 
the Chisera. Long and anxiously you shall look in 
the trail when he is late from the hunt, and the men 
shall mock him that he could not keep the blessing 
he had got. [Bright Water turns despairingly and 
sinks on the ground, holding her mother by the knees 
and sobbing bitterly. All the Indians draw away from 
Semwa, leaving him standing, discomfited in the middle 
of the camp. All look with awe and dread at the 
Chisera. She produces a small medicine stick from 
under her blanket and twirls it with menace. Going.] 
As for you, Arrow Maker of Sagharawite, if a man 
thrived by the favour of the gods rather than his 
own wit, when that favour is taken away, it shall 
be worse for him than if he had not known it. And 
though I cannot curse, yet am I the Friend of the 
gods, and they have regard to me. Look well to 
yourself, Simwa. Look well. 

CURTAIN 



ACT THIRD 



ACT THIRD 

Time. — One year later. 

Scene. — The top of Toorape where the tribe has been 
driven by their enemies of Tecuya. The women 
and children hide in their holes in the rocks. Off 
to the right on a jutting boulder, against the sky, 
stands Yavi, as sentinel; two or three wounded 
lie about. Crouching over the fire are Seegooche, 
Wacoba and Tiawa, showing in their dress and 
appearance the marks of a year of distress, as do 
all the others as they appear upon the scene. 

Yavi 
[To them.] St — st! 

Wacoba 
[Rising.] Some one on the trail! 

Seegooche 
What is it? 

Wacoba 
[To her.] Hush! Sh ! 

Yavi 
The Sparrow Hawk! 

Seegooche 
News from the fighting men! 



93 



94 THE ARROW MAKER 

TiAWA 

The gods grant it be good news! 
[Padahoon, weary and with disordered dress, comes 
clambering up the face of the cliff.] 

Yavi 
[Calling down in a whisper,] What news? 

TiAWA 

Are the gods still against us? 

Padahoon 
As they have been since the day the Chisera took 
away her blessing from the war leader. 

Women 
[Wailing.] Ai! Ai! 

[Others come out of the rocks to join in the general 
grief.] 

Wacoba 
If you could but persuade her to give it back again. 

Padahoon 
If I cannot, then this is like to be the last fight of 
Sagharawite! 

Wacoba 
If you cannot, then must the chief enforce her, for 
since we were driven from our homes, neither the 
anguish of the women nor the hunger of the children 
has moved her. 

Padahoon 

I will speak with her at once. 

4 



THE ARROW MAKER 95 

[He goes up among the rocks, and the women huddle 
wretchedly together watching.] 

Wacoba 
Do you think she will consent? 

Seegooche 
She cannot choose but do it. The men have kept 
her supplied with venison, but she must know that 
there is hunger in the camp of the women and 
children. 

Wacoba 
And that the Tecuyas have taken the best of our 
fighting men. 

TiAWA 

But no men of hers. I have always said — but 
because I am old nobody minds me — that if there 
was one of her household to go to battle, she would 
need no persuasion to go before the gods. I would 
Simwa had given her a child. 

Wacoba 
[Aside from Seegooche.] Then you believe that 
he was her lover? 

TiAWA 

What else? Would any but a jilted woman sit 
and mope while our wickiups go up in smoke? 

Wacoba 
I would she had a child, but not Simwa's. One 
of that breed is enough. 



96 THE ARROW MAKER 

Seegooche 
[Who has moved nearer the hut.] Hush, see the 
curtain! [They start.] 

TiAWA 

It was the wind. 

Seegooche 
They say she has not made medicine since my 
daughter's marriage. 

Wacoba 
[Looking off to the right where the mountains dip 
abruptly valley-ward.] And to think that even now 
they must be fighting under Waban. 

Seegooche 

Hush! Hush! 

[Padahoon and the Chisera come out of the hut. 
The Chisera's whole appearance is of heartbreak and 
neglect. She leans against the boulders at the left, hold- 
ing her blanket close, and answers Padahoon sullenly.] 

Padahoon 
And is this all your answer .^^ 

The Chisera 
The trail is cold between the gods and me. 

Padahoon 
Then you will not make medicine? 

The Chisera 
And would not if I could. 



THE ARROW MAKER 97 

Padahoon 
Have you turned renegade, Chisera, and side with 
our enemies of Tecuya? 

The Chisera 

No, Padahoon, but I see that no good comes of 

persuading the gods to do more for man than his 

natural destiny. 

Padahoon 

You have always persuaded them to our advan- 
tage. 

The Chisera 

What good came of having Simwa made war 
leader .f^ Had I not persuaded them to meddle with 
that business, the leadership would have fallen to 
you as the elder, and we should not now be without 
allies in our need. 

Padahoon 

I am not sure the gods had so much to do with 
that; but if the mischief came through them, the 
gods must repair it. 

The Chisera 
I will not make medicine. Send the women away. 

Padahoon 
What shall I say to them? 

The Chisera 
To count themselves already blessed in having 
those for whom they desire blessing. Tell them that 
to have loved and given the breast is enough to salve 
the wounds of loss. 



98 THE ARROW MAKER 

Padahoon 
You are hard, Chisera. 

The Chisera 

I am jealous of their griefs. Their very pangs I 
envy them. Who is there of mine goes to this war 
that I should grieve for his wounding or look for his 
return? [She looks bitterly toward the women who 
have crept from the caves to peer from the rocks in the 
direction of the fighting.] Persuade me no more, 
Padahoon. I will not do it. 

[She disappears among the rocks to the left, and 
Padahoon turns to the women who crowd around him 
anxiously.] 

Wacoba 

Has she promised.^ 

TiAWA 

Will she help us? 

Padahoon 
The Chisera will not make medicine. 

Women 
[Rocking themselves to and fro.] Ai! Ai! 

Seegooche 
Is it because our gifts are so small? She should 
consider how hard it is to get venison in war time. 

Padahoon 
Her heart is so full of bitterness that there is no 
room in it for the gods. 



THE ARROW MAKER 99 

Wacoba 
That is Simwa's doing — though he is your son, 
Seegooche, I must say it — there was no better 
Chisera between here and Tehachappi until he 
curdled her wisdom with his lies. 

TiAWA 

Ah, Simwa! I spit upon his name. 
[The women spit between their teeth with sharp 
hisses.] 

Wacoba 
How the Chisera hates him! 

Padahoon 
How she loves him! 

TiAWA 

[Struck with this.] You think so? Yet there is 
not one word of the evil she said of him a year ago 
that has not come to pass. 

Women 
Ai! Ai! On him and us. 

Padahoon 
And hate would have been satisfied to strip him 
of his honours, but now she lets the whole tribe go 
down in the ruin of her love. 

Wacoba 
[Hopefully.] Then if she loves him, perhaps he 
can persuade her. 



100 THE ARROW MAKER 

Padahoon 
As well persuade the rattlesnake not to strike him. 

Seegooche 

If the Chief should insist, she would not dare 

refuse him. 

Padahoon 

There is little she would not dare. But you can 

try. 

Women 

Let us bring the Chief. 

[They go out.] 

The Chisera 

[The Chisera reappears cautiously,] Have they 

gone.? 

Padahoon 

To bring Rain Wind to command you. 

The Chisera 
Can he command the sap to rise or bid the deer- 
weed spring when there is no rain? My power is 

gone from me. 

Padahoon 

Chisera, this is a grave matter to refuse service in 

time of war — be advised by the word of a friend — 

The Chisera 
Has the Chisera indeed a friend? 

Padahoon 
Have I not proved 



THE ARROW MAKER 101 

The Chisera 
Padahoon, when did you ever visit me for any but 
your own advantage? For what else did you stir 
me against Simwa, and why now do you seek my 
blessing but to make good against him the honour 
of which he has robbed you? Does any one of you 
bring me venison except for profit or grind my meal 

for love? 

Padahoon 
Seeing how little good you had of the love of the 
Arrow Maker, why should you desire it? 

The Chisera 
You spit poison like a toad, Padahoon, but your 
fangs are drawn. The Arrow Maker never loved me. 

Padahoon 
[Approaching her with the manner of having gained 
a point] If you have the wit to know so much 

The Chisera 

[Commanding him from her with a gesture as she 
seats herself.] Padahoon, there is no more power in 
me than there is tang in a wet bow-string. [She rocks 
her head between her hands.] It is gone from me as 
the shadow goes up from the mountain. As the 
wild geese go northward at the end of the rains, so 
is my power How shall I win it again who can- 
not win the love of man. . . . Ah, leave me, Pada- 
hoon, leave me ! [She covers her head with her blanket.] 

[Enter Chief Rain Wind, stumbling blindly, led 
by his wife and followed at a respectful distance by the 



102 THE ARROW MAKER 

other women. He walks with dignity, in spite of his 
blindness, and has on all the insignia of rank except 
the war-bonnet, Seegooche has a hasty, eager man- 
ner, ingratiating but timid.] 

Padahoon 
[To them.] You will get nothing. 

Chief 
I do not come asking; I command. 

Seegooche 
No, no, do not be harsh with her! Let me speak, 
we women will understand each other. 

Chief 
[Putting his wife aside.] Chisera. [The Chisera 
starts at the tone of authority, but controls herself.] 
Friend of the gods. [She makes a movement of pro- 
test.] I have that to say to you which should be 
said but once, which to say at all is shame to you. 
Great powers have been given you to turn the favour 
of the gods as a willow is turned in the wind. How 
is it you have not turned them when your people 
are in war and bad fortune? We are driven as 
hunted rabbits to hide in holes in the rocks, and our 
fighting men are outnumbered; even now we do not 

know if there be one left alive of them Our 

tribe shall be as a forgotten tale unless you inter- 
cede for us. 



THE ARROW MAKER 103 

The Chisera 
[Over her shoulder.] What? Is it possible Simwa 
cannot bring this affair to pass without the gods? 

Seegooche 
[Breaking in eagerly.] Yes, yes, the gods are very 
great, there is nothing without them. 

The Chisera 
[Still to the Chief.] Does Simwa ask it? 

Chief 
The Chief commands it. 

Seegooche 
[Cringingly .] No. No. Chisera, mind him not! 
He is not himself, the hunger and the loss of battle 
do distress him. We beg of you, we implore you, 
Chisera — we will bring gifts to you — gifts, Chisera. 
[She looks about despairingly for a suitable gift, snatches 
a great rope of beads from the Chief's neck and drops 
it in the Chisera's lap.] Spoil of our enemies when 

the war is over, and this to keep as a reminder 

So — if only you will persuade the gods to friend us. 

The Chisera 
[Lifting the collar and letting it fall.] And if I will 
not? 

[Still toith her eyes on the Chief, ignoring See- 
gooche.] 

Chief 
Chisera, I am an old man, and I knew your father. 
We had much good talk together — I am very old — 



104 THE ARROW MAKER 

but I am not blind in my judgment as I am in my 
eyes. In war time there is but one law for those 
faithless to the tribal obligation. You know it. 

The Chisera 
[Drawing her blanket.] I know it. 

Seegooche 
[Dropping to the ground and beating the earth with 
her palms.] Do not, do not refuse it, Wise One, 
Friend of the Friend! What has Simwa done that 
you should destroy us.^ 

The Chisera 
You ask me that, Seegooche? 

Seegooche 

I know — you said Such a small thing, 

Chisera. To love you a little before he loved my 
daughter. Young men do often so — and you were 

very fair and no doubt beguiled him Ah, who 

could withstand you, daughter of the gods.f* [Wheed- 
But your punishment is heavy upon him. 



The Chisera 
Is it so.f^ 

Seegooche 
[Thinking she has gained a point.] It is indeed as 
you said; he makes no more arrows, and his luck in 
the hunt is gone from him. And the men mock him. 
A war leader should not be mocked, Chisera. 



THE ARROW MAKER 105 

The Chisera 
No more should a Friend of the gods, but Simwa 
mocked me. 

Seegooche 
[Losing hope.] He was mad, Chisera, he had eaten 
rattle weed. But my daughter did not mock you. 
Think of my daughter! 

The Chisera 
When does your daughter ever think of me? 

Seegooche 
[Broken and drooping.] Every day she thinks of 
you. When she is ahungered, when her man brings 
her nothing from the hunt — as — you have said, 
Chisera. When she digs roots with the old women 
and no one prevents her for the sake of a child to be 
born. 

The Chisera 
[With relish.] Does she dig roots? 

Seegooche 
With the barren women. Also her beauty goes, 
she is so thin with the famine. 

The Chisera 
[Bearing her arm.] I also am thin. 
[From this moment some perception of the pervasive 
misery of the situation enters her mind and begins to 
colour her speech.] 

Chief 
Hunger and sickness and war have come into the 
camp because you kept not your heart, Chisera. 



106 THE ARROW MAKER 

Yet a greater than these shall come upon you if you 
forget your tribal obligation. 

The Chisera 
[Rising on one knee.] What obligation have I 
owed. Chief Rain Wind, and not remembered it? 

Chief 

That which lies upon all that have power with the 
Friend of the Soul of Man. Only the gods can save 
us, and only you know the true and acceptable road 
to them. 

The Chisera 

[Rising and moving toward her hut.] I am over- 
weary for the road; let Simwa find it. 

[An arrow, with a feather and fragment of bark 
attached to it, is shot into the camp from the direction 
of the fighting. Padahoon takes it up and carries it 
to the Chief, the others crowding about.] 

Chief 
What was that? 

Padahoon 
A message from the fighting men. 

Chief 
Read me the token. 

Padahoon 
A vulture's feather and bark of whenonabe. De- 
feat and flight. 



THE ARROW MAKER 107 

Women 
Ai! Ai! 
[They throw up their arms in despair,] 

Chief 

They will not be far behind their arrows. 

[All listen. A faint whoop is heard. Padahoon 
answers with his mouth covered with his hand. The 
rest of the women and children come out of the rocks. 
Fighting men come clambering up the steep. They 
show torn clothing and streaks of blood. The women 
bring them the water bottles as they drop upon the 
ground. Wacoba's husband, Pamaquash, with an 
arrow in his side, leaps once in air and drops dead. 
His wife sinks on the ground beside him, rocking and 
moaning. One breaks his unstrung bow across his 
knees and stamps the pieces in the earth. Finally 
comes SiMWA, his war-bonnet bedraggled.] 

SiMWA 

Ugh! Is it so I find the fighting men of Sag- 
harawite — huddled together like rabbits when the 
coyotes are after them? 

Wacoba 
[Scattering dust on her head.] Ai, Ai, my man, my 
man! 

SiMWA 

Be still, you fool! Would you call up our enemies 
with your noise? [The wailing drops to a moan.] 
Put out that fire — they can sniff smoke as far as a 
vulture smells carrion. [Choco stamps out the fire.] 



108 THE ARROW MAKER 

You, Choco, do you show your face to me, mis- 
begotten whelp of a coyote! It was you who led 
the fleeing. 

Choco 
[Sullenly.] It was Tavwots. 

Tavwots 
By the Bear, you shall have a wound for that 
though you ran too fast to have one in battle. 
[He draws the obsidian knife at his belt.] 

Padahoon 

Fools! [He strikes up Tavwots' arm; another 
Indian jerks Choco by the ankles causing him to sit 
down.] Have you killed so many in battle, Tavwots, 
that you can afford to lose us a fighting man? 

[The men subside exhausted.] 

Chief 
Peace! Though I am too old for battle, yet I am 
master in the camp. What has happened.'^ 

SiMWA 

We have shown the Tecuyas what running is like. 

Tavwots 

The gods send we have run fast enough to throw 
them off the trail, else they will attack before morn- 
ing. 

[Consternation among the women.] 



THE ARROW MAKER 109 

Chief 
[To them,] Kima! [Their grief falls off to a 
whimper. To Simwa.] Where met you? 

-SiMWA 

Under Waban where they stayed to cook venison 
they had killed. We had every way the advan- 
tage 

Tavwots 

As much as rabbits when they have met with 
coyotes. They were three to one of us. 

Simwa 
[Ignoring him with an effort.] We were between 
them and cover — we were driving them toward 
Waban — but they sent one out against us armed 

— Chief and father, how do you think he was armed 
who put the sons of the Bear to flight? With a stick 

— a painted stick with feathers on it. [Angry and 
protesting murmurs.] An old man with a stick, Rain 
Wind, and they ran before him like squaws who 
deserve a beating ! Faugh ! 

[Native movement of disgust.] 

Tavwots 
[Rising on his elbow.] You shall be sicker, Simwa, 
when you have eaten your words. That old man 
was Tibu, the medicine man of the Tecuyas. I 
knew him. 

Simwa 
Then it was you, Tavwots, who broke and ran? 



110 THE ARROW MAKER 

Tavwots 
He came upon us with charms and spells. He had 
the gods on his side. 

Choco 
Our hearts were turned to water because of his 
evil medicine. 

Chief 
Are not the gods of Sagharawite stronger than the 
gods of the Tecuyas.'^ 

Tavwots 
Not when we have one to lead us who despises 
their blessings. 

SiMWA 

Well, I believe in the medicine of Tibu. He has 
made old women of you. 

Chief 

Think no more of that. Let us consider what is 
to be done. 

[Shadows of vultures appear on the rocks, attracted 
by the dead. Wacoba springs up from casting dust 
upon her head to flap them away with her blanket, 
which she spreads over the body of her husband.] 

Padahoon 

[As he motions to the men to move the body near the 
shelter.] Yes, it is time to take counsel when even 
the birds of the air betray us to our enemies. 

[The women gather together about the dead. One of 
them takes the place of the sentry who comes to Council. 



THE ARROW MAKER 111 

The men collect near the Chisera's hut with the ex- 
ception of Simwa, who remains seated, restringing his 
bow. Bright Water goes to him.] 

Bright Water 
Simwa, how long will you let your pride destroy 
us? 

Simwa 
Is that a word for a man's wife? 

Bright Water 
It is a true one. Do we not know, you and I, that 
it is but pride that makes you stand out against the 
Friend of the gods. Look at me, Simwa, is it not 
proved on my body that she spoke truly when she 
said that you throve only by her blessing? 

Simwa 
Can you bear to admit so much? 

Bright Water 

Bear? What have I not borne? Have I com- 
plained when I dug roots? Have I quivered when 
I was mocked? Has there been any sign of shame 
on my face for all the scorn on theirs? Have I said, 
"Give me children," when the nursing mothers pitied 
me? Oh, I have borne, I have borne, but this I 
cannot bear. 

Simwa 

What is now so hard? 



112 THE ARROW MAKER 

Bright Water 
To know that you and I know the truth and that 
you will see the tribe wiped out before you will admit 
it. 

SiMWA 

The truth? 

Bright Water 

That you were the Chisera's lover for the sake of 

what she could do for you, and your denial left me 

no way for her to prove it except by taking away the 

help of the gods from us all. Is not that the truth? 

SiMWA 

Would you have me ashamed before all men? 

Bright Water 
When have I not been ashamed since I married 
you? 

SiMWA 

Let her alone! They will kill her if she refuses to 
make medicine and then we shall be rid of her. 

Bright Water 
And you would permit that? [He shifts uneasily 
under her gaze.] Simwa [With profound en- 
treaty.] Simwa! 

Simwa 
What is the witch to me? 

Bright Water 
My sister, I think, for she has loved you even as I 
have, to my sorrow. 



THE ARROW MAKER 113 

[She turns away from him meditating some deep 
purpose, and from this time on the progress of that 
purpose in her mind is evident in her bearing toward 
her husband.] 

Chief 

[Coming forward.] Let the Council sit. [They sit 
cwf in Act I.] Simwa, as war leader, what plan 
have you? 

Simwa 

It wants not plans so much as men to do them. 

Chief 
Whatever is in any man's mind for the good of the 
tribe, let it be delivered. Observe not the rule of 
the elders but speak at once. [A moment, during 
which black looks are cast at Simwa.] Will no one 
speak .f^ 

Padahoon 
Chief and Tribesmen, once I gave counsel and you 

despised it 

Chief 

No more of that. Give counsel now. 

Padahoon 
It is the same counsel, but time has not mended 
the occasion. Penned here on the edge of the preci- 
pice we can but starve. We must break through our 
enemies and strike at their women and their stores. 

Tavwots 
Every trail is watched. Not so much as a weasel 
can go in and out from Toorape and they not know it. 



114 THE ARROW MAKER 

Padahoon 
With so many watchers then, they can not have 
much of a fighting force at any point. In an hour 
it will be dark; we shall go down by Deer Leap 
with the women and children, and stay not for fight- 
ing, but fleeing for our lives, break through to their 

villages 

Choco 
But if they move on us tonight? If the vultures 
have already betrayed us — even now they may be 
within earshot? 

Tavwots 
If they come up with us before we reach Deer Leap 
it is to run into the wolf's mouth. 

Padahoon 
I have thought of that. Tonight they expect us 
to mourn our dead and go before our gods 

Chief 
So should we. 

Padahoon 
That they may think so, leave one behind to 
sound the medicine drum throughout the night. So 
they shall fear to attack and expect an easier vic- 
tory in the morning when we are exhausted with 
dancing to the gods. 

Tavwots 
But he that stays, what shall become of him 



THE ARROW MAKER 115 

Chief 
He shall die as becomes him [Rising] as be- 
comes a chief of his people. 

[Murmurs of consternation and then silence.] 

Padahoon 
But another — whose counsels we prize less 



Chief 

It is the tribal use. None else too blind for the 
trail and too feeble for the sortie — [With grim 
humour.] but I can drum. 

[Solemn grunts of approval.] 

Padahoon 
If we win through Deer Leap, we can make terms 
for you. Tribesmen, what say you? [A pause.] 

Tavwots 
What I say is for myself only; but I go not out 
against the Tecuyas again unless the Chisera has 
blessed the going. 

The Council 
Good counsel; good counsel! He has it! 

SiMWA 

There go two or three things to the making of 
fighting men, Tavwots, beside the blessing of women. 

Tavwots 
Two or three things, Simwa, that I think you 



116 THE ARROW MAKER 

have not; honour to win advantage and wit to keep 
what you have got. 

Padahoon 

As for me, I am with Tavwots; but [He 

looks at SiMWA.] The gods have no favours for 
unbelievers. 

Tavwots 
Nor have we, by the Bear ! 

Indians 
[Springing up.] Nor have we! No, by the Bear! 
Out with him! [They hustle Simwa. One snatches 
off the war-bonnet, another the collar of bears' claws. 
Even the women strike dust upon him with their feet in 
an excess of contempt.] 

Chief 
Peace, tribesmen! 

Tavwots 
Perhaps we shall have peace when we have a 
leader against whom neither the gods nor women 
have a spite. Tribesmen, who shall lead the going 
out but he who planned it? 

Indians 
Hi! Hi! Padahoon! Padahoon! [They fling the 
collar about his neck. Tavwots hands him the bon- 
net.] Hi! Hi! The Sparrow Hawk. 

Padahoon 
Do not count on me too much with the Chisera; 



THE ARROW MAKER 117 

all this time I have kept in camp with my wound I 
have reasoned with her but still she refuses me. 

Chief 
There shall be an end to that 



Padahoon 
How then ? 

Chief 
Who denies service to the tribe in extremity must 
be dealt with as an enemy. [Consternation.] 

Choco 
But a Friend of the gods 



Tavwots 
Let the gods save her 

Chief 
There are times when the gods must be content 
to stand still and see what men will do. Who serves 
not us, serves our enemies. It is the law. 

Padahoon 
[Reluctantly.] It is the law 



Chief 
Death or good medicine — Speak, tribesmen! 
[Above the silence of the Council is heard the deep 
excited breathing of the women.] 



118 THE ARROW MAKER 

The Council 
[One after another.] Death. Death. Death or 
good medicine. It is the law. 

Chief 
[To Padahoon.] Bid her come. 

Padahoon 
[At the hut,] Chisera, come to Council! 

The Chisera 
[Issuing, wrapped in her blanket.] Who sends for 

me? 

Chief 

Death is hot upon our trail. Stay him with your 
spells. 

Men and Women 
Good medicine, Chisera, good medicine ! 

The Chisera 
Have you not a war leader 



[She stops, noticing the bonnet on Padahoon — looks 
from him to Simwa.] 

Padahoon 
Who invites your blessing, Chisera ! 

Chief 
Make spells for thy people ! 

The Chisera 
What have my people done for me that I should 
weary myself to make medicine for them.? 



THE ARROW MAKER 119 

Chief 
Are you not respected above all women of the 
eampody? Even in war time 

The Chisera 
Ah — respect! What have I to do with respect? 
Am I not as other women that men should desire 
me? Are my breasts less fair that there should 
never be milk in them? 

Chief 
We honour you after the use of Medicine Men. 
What more would you have? 

The Chisera 

The dole of women. Love and sorrow and house- 
keeping, a husband to give me children, even though 
he beat me. 

Chief 

Love you have given, and sorrow you have got. 
Shame and defeat are your children. So it is always 
when power falls upon women. The word has passed 
in Council, Chisera; will you repair this damage, 
or will you die for it? 

The Chisera 
[As her eye travels the circle of the camp.] I do not 
find the taste of life so sweet that I should turn it 

twice upon my tongue; but [Her gaze halts on 

SiMWA, and all the attention of the camp seems to hang 
a moment in suspense as Simwa ignores her.] Do I 
die then? 



120 THE ARROW MAKER 

Padahoon 
Let Simwa die! 

Indians 
Ah — ah ! 



Simwa 
What, old fox, are you out of cover at last? 

Padahoon 
By whom trouble came into the camp, let it de- 
part. Who prevented the wisdom of the gods at 
the throwing of the sacred sticks? By whose counsel 
were our allies of Castac destroyed? Who hardened 
the Chisera's heart so that she kept not our foes 
from us? 

Indians 
Simwa ! Simwa ! 

Padahoon 
Sons of the Bear, do you think to win favour of 
the gods when you have one who mocks them in 
your midst? Would you see the backs of the Te- 
cuyas? Would you win to your homes again? Let 
Simwa die! 

Indians 
Aye, aye. Let Simwa die! A judgment! A 
judgment! 

Simwa 
[Aside to his wife.] My quiver, hand me my quiver! 

Chief 
Simwa, as thou art a son to me, I fear the charge 



THE ARROW MAKER 121 

is just. But do you entreat the Chisera to go before 
the gods for us, then will this evil pass. 

. SliiiWA 

[Rising.] And if I choose to have it said that when 
the tribesmen of Sagharawite took a woman to 
Council, only Simwa stood out against it? 

Chief 
Then must I give judgment. 

Bright Water 
Simwa! 

Simwa 
[Folding his arms.] It shall not be said of me that 
I have borne to take my life of a woman. 

The Chisera 

Whether you can bear it or not, it shall be said of 
you, for though I am unhappy, I am still the Chisera, 
and I declare unto you that neither the life nor 
death of a broken man can avail to turn the gods. 
But you. Chief Rain Wind, and you. Tribesmen of 
Sagharawite, you — if you must visit the loss of my 
power, let it be on your own heads, for you only are 
blameworthy. 

Chief 

This is no time for riddles, Chisera. 

The Chisera 
I mean none. What did Simwa other to me than 
the occasion allowed him.f^ Was it his fault that he 
found me alone and love-hungry .^^ Was it he who 



122 THE ARROW MAKER 

ordered that I should live apart where no woman 
could see how my heart went and give me counsel? 
Was it any fault but yours — you that kept me far 
from your huts lest I should see and carry word to 
the gods how unworthy you were ! You that feared 
to find yourselves lessened when I walked among 
you with my power — Ai. Ai! did you think at all 
what became of the woman so long as you had my 
medicine to help you? 

TiAWA 

[Creeping forward.] So I said, so I said from the 
beginning. She has been taught to be a Chisera, 
but she was born a woman! 

[Excitement among the women.] 

Chief 
Your words are sharp, Chisera. 

The Chisera 
The fact is sharper. It has eaten through my 
bosom. 

Chief 
We meant the best — we judged you companioned 

by the gods. 

The Chisera 

Did ever a woman serve them the less because she 
had dealt with a man? Nay, all the power of woman 
comes from loving and being loved, and now the 
bitterest of all my loss is to know that I have never 
had it. 

[She draws up her blanket.] 



THE ARROW MAKER 123 

Bright Water 
And not you only 

The Chisera 

You ? 

[She turns away confounded.] 

Semwa 

Wife — wife — if she finds the gods again, they will 

surely kill me. 

Bright Water 

Let them. Though I am your wife I am the 
Chief's daughter, and the tribe is still something to 
me. I will save them if I can. Chisera 

[The Chisera listens and turns slowly.] 

Chief 
Is that my daughter .^^ 

Tavwots 
Hush! Perhaps she will move her! 

Bright Water 
Do you think yourself aggrieved so much, Chisera.? 
Come, I will match sorrows with you, I and all these, 
[The women surge forward.] and the stakes shall be 
the people. Here is my pride that I throw .down, 
in my bride year to know my husband an impostor. 
Have you any sorrow to match with that.f^ 

Wacoba 
Since you wish a man so much, Chisera, here is 
mine whom the vultures seek. 



124 THE ARROW MAKER 

[The women part in two lines to show the dead man 
stark in his blanket.] 

/^ A Woman -^, 

Would you have a child at your breast, Chisera, 

here is mine, for my milk is dried with the hunger. 
[She holds up her swaddled child which Bright 

Water takes and holds toward the Chisera who 

stands confused, for the first time acutely aware of their 

misery.] 

Bright Water 
[Measuring the effect of her words.] Chisera, my 

breast is as fruitless as yours — but you — you have 

— good medicine. 

TiAWA 

Lay hold on the gods, Chisera, these are ills from 
which man cannot save us! 

[The Chisera throws out her hands to signify the 
loss of her power, her blanket slips to the ground and she 
covers her face with her hands.] 

The Chisera 
Gone — gone! It is gone from me! 

Bright Water 
[Signing to the women to hide the blanket.] By 
dancing you shall bring it back again — for the sake 
of the women and the children — dance, Chisera ! 

[Her voice has a kindling sound, and the women echo 
it with a breath.] 

The Chisera 
Oh, I have danced until the earth under me is 



THE ARROW MAKER 125 

beaten to dust, and my heart is as dry as the dust, 
and all my songs have fallen to the ground. [She 
begins to walk up and down excitedly.] With what 
cry shall I call on the gods, now my songs are de- 
parted? [She begins to chant.] 

And my heart is emptied of all 
But the grief of women. 

[The women watch her breathlessly; as she gradually 
swings into the dance, they seem to urge her with the 
stress of their anxiety.] 

All the anguish of women, 
It smells to the gods 
As the dead after battle. 
It sounds in my heart 
As the hollow drums calling to battle, 
And the gods come quickly. 
[Shadows of vultures appear on the rocks.] 
Now I shall make a new song, 
A song of the grief of women; 
But for myself. 

But for all who have eaten sorrow, 
Who are sick and ashamed 

And for love go ahungered 

[As the inspiration grows, the tribe takes up the 
movement of the dance, crooning softly, falling off 
into breathless silence when she speaks.] 
Come, O my power, 
Indwelling spirit! 
It is I that call. 
Childless, unmated 



126 THE ARROW MAKER 

[Drums and rattles are brought out, at first cautiously 
lest she take alarm and be turned from her purpose, 
but as the fervour of her dancing increases, with in- 
creased confidence. Simwa remains seated at one side, 
watching her, his foot touching his quiver, Padahoon, 
who has moved over near him, observes him narrowly 
in the intervals of dancing. Chisera sings.] 
Nay, I shall mate with the gods, 
And the tribesmen shall be my children. 
Rise up in me, O, my power. 
On the wings of eagles ! 
Return upon me as the rain 
The earth renewing, 
Make my heart fruitful 
To nourish my children. 
[Simwa is seen to strip the magic arrow from his 
quiver.] 

Bright Water 
Simwa, Simwa, what do you do.? 

Simwa 
No more than the gods will do to me if they hear 
her. 

The Chisera 
This is my song that I make, 
I, the Chisera, 

The song of the mateless woman; 
None holdeth my hand but the Friend, 
In the silence, in the secret places 
We shall beget great deeds between us! 



THE ARROW MAKER 127 

[^5 she rises on the last movement of the dance toward 
ecstasy, the excitement rises with her, expressing itself 
in short irrepressible yelps, at the highest point of which 
a scream from Bright Water arrests the dancers. 
Suddenly the drums and rattles stop. Simwa is seen 
to Jit the arrow to the how-string, hut as he rises to loose 
it, Padahoon hreaks down his aim, and, lifting his 
body clear, with a stab of his flint knife, drops it inertly 
almost at the feet of the Chisera.] 

Padahoon 
[To the rush of protest.] Stand back; am I not 
war leader to deal with traitors as seems right to me? 
[Stooping, he plucks the arrow from <Simwa's hand.] 

He would have shot our Chisera [As he examines 

it] the man was dishonest even in his unbelief — this 
is a medicine arrow! 

The Chisera 
[Without abating her triumphant mood she takes 
it from Padahoon's reluctant hand; dawning appre- 
hension on the faces of the others.] In a good hour, it 
has come back to me. Tavwots, your bow. [She 
takes the bow and strings it, singing:] 

Oh, singing reed. 

That sings of death to the foeman, 

Swift be thy path as a snake 

To the heart of a foeman. 

Padahoon 
[Uneasily.] But here are no foes of yours, Chisera. 



128 THE ARROW MAKER 

The Chisera 
[Fitting the arrow.] And what of Tecuya? 

Indians 
Ah — ah! 
[Intaking breath of relief.] 

The Chisera 
[Approaching the edge of the precipice toward 
Tecuya, the tribe singing after her with short yelps of 
excitement.] 

Let us arise and go now 
After the arrow — 
To the valley of Sagharawite 
Where the land knows us 
And the hills are friendly. 
Fly swift, O stinging reed, 
Make a path through to the foeman! 
[She looses the arrow.] 

To our foes, O magic reed. 
To our foes — at Tecuya! 
[Suddenly through the silence of suspended breath, 
breaks the sharp roll of the drums, recalling the tribe 
to action. They gird themselves in haste and gather 
their belongings, as, shaking her bow aloft like a 
medicine stick, the Chisera moves with the assurance 
of victory before them down the mountain.] 

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